COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

City Regions

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects to publish further guidance on the future management of city regions.

Phil Woolas: The Government will bring forward a range of measures for city-regions, including:
	draft guidance on city development companies;
	a package of reforms for Passenger Transport Authorities and Executives; and
	the review of sub-national economic development which will report ahead of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.
	Proposals are set out in the Local Government White paper, which is available on the Department's website.

Housing

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the expenditure to be allocated to affordable housing at the next comprehensive spending review.

Yvette Cooper: I have had, and will continue to have wide ranging and regular discussions with ministerial colleagues in Treasury about preparations for the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.

Housing

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what percentage of homes built in  (a) Chorley and  (b) Lancashire since 1997 have been affordable social housing.

Yvette Cooper: Local authorities have the powers to bring forward affordable housing policies as part of their local development frameworks.

Housing

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties owned by registered social landlords have been sold on the open market in  (a) Greater London and  (b) England in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority area.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Information on the number of properties owned by registered social landlords (RSLs) which have been sold on the open market is collected on the regulatory statistical return of the Housing Corporation. Although information is collected from all RSLs, they are not asked to break down this information by local authority area. In addition, data were not collected prior to 2001-02. Summary information on total sales for the year available is given in the following table.
	
		
			   Dwellings sold by RSLs  to the private sector (Number)  Total owned stock  (Thousand)  Total stock sold to private sector  (Percentage) 
			 2001-02 1,285 1,593.6 0.08 
			 2002-03 1,133 1,762.4 0.06 
			 2003-04 1,877 1,776.6 0.11 
			 2004-05 3,157 1,976.7 0.16 
			 2005-06 3,081 2,040.8 0.15 
			  Notes: 1. Data excludes Abbeyfields and Almhouses. 2. Only RSLs completing the long form RSR provided information in 2005-06.  Source: Regulatory Statistical Return, Housing Corporation.

Housing

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made, for the purposes of estimating housing demand, of the number of households formed by workers who have come from the 2004 accession countries.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7 November 2006 (Question 94217).

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what factors she took into account when estimating that the cost of providing the fourth option for council housing would be £12 billion as stated in her speech of 26 September; and if she will provide a breakdown of the estimated costs.

Yvette Cooper: As set out in the document "Decent Homes to Sustainable Communities" there are a range of costs for introducing a "fourth option" depending on how many councils took it up as the approach would have to be fair for all councils. The factors taken into account when estimating the £12 billion were: the extra average investment per dwelling required to give local authorities the same level of investment per dwelling as under stock transfer, and the number of local authority dwellings in 2004-05 that would need this extra investment (number of dwellings sourced from the Business Plan Statistical Appendix 2005).
	The estimated increase in investment needed to maintain Housing Associations for local authorities retaining ownership and management, and for those planning transfer but yet to achieve this, was £10,000 per dwelling and for authorities pursuing an Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO) the increased cost of investment was £1,500 per dwelling.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people have taken up Government initiatives on  (a) shared ownership and  (b) subsidised home ownership; and what the cost of each initiative has been in each year since its introduction.

Yvette Cooper: The tables show Housing Corporation Affordable Housing Programme-funded low-cost home ownership initiatives between 1992-93 and 2005-06. Table A shows completions from each financial year up to 2005-06 and table B the same information on expenditure.
	
		
			  Table A: Units completed 
			   Shared ownership  DIYSO( 1)  Homebuy  Tenants incentive scheme  Right to acquire  VPG( 2)  Total 
			 1992-93 1,525 1,992 0 4,783 0 0 8,300 
			 1993-94 2,731 5,259 0 6,450 0 0 14,440 
			 1994-95 5,633 5,479 0 6,525 0 0 17,637 
			 1995-96 5,874 4,597 0 6,400 0 0 16,871 
			 1996-97 4,053 2,395 0 6,892 0 38 13,378 
			 1997-98 4,529 1,986 0 4,262 0 195 10,972 
			 1998-99 4,340 1,472 0 2,364 0 122 8,298 
			 1999-2000 2,956 191 885 413 4 86 4,535 
			 2000-01 2,551 0 1,487 0 18 140 4,196 
			 2001-02 2,211 0 1,270 0 38 133 3,652 
			 2002-03 2,315 0 1,332 0 111 142 3,900 
			 2003-04 3,574 0 2,600 0 236 154 6,564 
			 2004-05 5,627 0 5,274 0 0 543 11,444 
			 2005-06 8,423 0 7,651 0 471 78 16,623 
			 Total 56,342 23,371 20,499 38,089 878 1,631 140,810 
		
	
	The figures in the table do not include homes provided without grant through S.106 agreements.
	
		
			  Table B: Expenditure 
			  £ million 
			   Shared ownership  DIYSO( 1)  Homebuy  Tenants incentive scheme  Right to acquire  VPG( 2)  Total 
			 1992-93 81 43 0 52 0 0 177 
			 1993-94 92 121 0 76 0 0 290 
			 1994-95 87 117 0 76 0 0 280 
			 1995-96 64 97 0 73 0 0 234 
			 1996-97 82 51 0 82 0 0 216 
			 1997-98 61 45 0 52 0 2 160 
			 1998-99 49 34 0 30 0 1 115 
			 1999-2000 49 4 20 5 0 1 79 
			 2000-01 60 0 35 0 0 2 97 
			 2001-02 51 0 35 0 0 1 88 
			 2002-03 76 0 42 0 1 1 120 
			 2003-04 228 0 94 0 3 2 325 
			 2004-05 248 0 209 0 6 0 462 
			 2005-06 223 0 241 0 5 1 470 
			 Total 1,452 513 675 448 15 11 3,114 
			 (1 )Do it yourself shared ownership (2) Voluntary purchase grant 
		
	
	The Housing Corporation has a target to assist 35,000 households into low-cost home ownership between 2006-08 at an estimated cost of £970 million.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many individuals have taken up each Government initiative to supply housing to key workers; and what the cost of each initiative has been in each year since its introduction.

Yvette Cooper: Since 2001 we have helped more than 22,500 key workers into home ownership through key worker housing initiatives. 10,322 were helped under the Starter Home Initiative which ran from April 2001 to April 2004. By August 2006, 12,200 had exchanged or completed under the Key Worker Living programme since its launch in April 2004.
	The following table shows the expenditure by year on the Starter Home Initiative and the Key Worker Living Programme.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Starter Home Initiative  Key Worker Living( 1) 
			 2001-02 2.2 0 
			 2002-03 66.9 0 
			 2003-04 172.3 121.8 
			 2004-05 7.3 285.1 
			 2005-06 0 343.5 
			 2006-07 0 74.9 
			 (1) Includes investment through Affordable Housing Programme. Challenge Fund Figures for 2006-07 shows spend to end October 2006.

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on the Decent Homes initiative in each London local authority since its inception; and how much she expects to be spent in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08.

Yvette Cooper: The total capital investment in local authority housing for the financial years 2002-03 to 2004-05 and the planned expenditure for the financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08 is shown in the table. The data are from the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix 2005.
	
		
			  £000 
			Planned 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Barking and Dagenham 31,687 46,785 27,872 36,235 25,700 20,600 
			 Barnet 9,632 11,947 19,947 28,668 27,679 29,628 
			 Bexley 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Brent 11,576 23,003 52,160 48,936 27,589 10,300 
			 Bromley 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Camden 49,422 64,705 40,864 51,852 58,163 43,033 
			 City of London 1,264 656 1,582 1,649 1,633 867 
			 Croydon 16,390 14,423 15,875 24,503 19,585 17,296 
			 Ealing 27,955 20,463 23,878 32,706 16,200 16,100 
			 Enfield 13,489 13,920 10,996 13,089 14,260 15,361 
			 Greenwich 39,948 28,873 43,860 57,867 46,000 34,800 
			 Hackney 21,176 39,317 65,672 77,056 68,338 48,210 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 26,688 28,162 24,964 52,571 64,343 64,758 
			 Haringey 23,593 26,524 25,272 22,056 22,056 65,056 
			 Harrow 5,441 7,491 6,860 7,475 9,905 10,425 
			 Havering 7,249 14,430 10,885 11,464 10,293 10,293 
			 Hillingdon 13,687 12,668 28,850 31,871 30,850 24,305 
			 Hounslow 23,019 38,901 51,496 68,413 17,700 17,100 
			 Islington 44,915 62,687 56,296 94,608 99,206 99,726 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 9,366 13,449 20,844 21,724 22,171 20,940 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,624 3,876 4,670 7,262 7,262 7,262 
			 Lambeth 48,010 52,126 60,333 59,588 60,926 56,707 
			 Lewisham 40,741 42,953 38,720 55,248 35,124 31,846 
			 Merton 6,211 5,195 6,210 5,372 5,047 4,897 
			 Newham 33,465 37,882 31,288 36,155 54,271 84,229 
			 Redbridge 4,855 5,963 5,183 6,278 6,882 14,114 
			 Richmond upon Thames 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Southwark 76,059 69,291 82,921 107,639 78,440 77,656 
			 Sutton 9,765 6,722 6,558 8,090 5,505 5,505 
			 Tower Hamlets 39,915 42,157 40,597 34,054 26,806 18,560 
			 Waltham Forest 19,343 19,101 21,597 24,454 39,443 37,757 
			 Wandsworth 27,026 35,529 36,608 29,266 31,616 28,675 
			 Westminster 46,277 29,249 53,437 82,200 55,858 25,286

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the estimated average public subsidy was per unit of shared ownership accommodation in  (a) England and  (b) London in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much in Government subsidy was given to each household purchasing a shared ownership property in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) each London local authority in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06; and what the figures are for 2006-07 to date.

Yvette Cooper: The following table shows the average Government subsidy through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme for each shared ownership property in England, each English region and for each London local authority for 2004-05 and 2005-06 together with the latest estimates for 2006-07 and 2007-08. Housing Associations continue to own the share of the property funded by the Housing Corporation.
	
		
			  Average Government subsidy per shared ownership unit 
			  £ 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 England 31,629 25,076 27,372 25,334 
			  Region 
			 London 46,022 41,204 41,926 44,571 
			 South East 25,608 20,052 19,100 16,743 
			 South West 17,224 10,800 18,245 20,256 
			 East Midlands 20,743 15,988 21,297 15,345 
			 Eastern 20,012 12,875 14,477 15,729 
			 West Midlands 26,679 15,295 20,376 19,940 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 20,888 11,801 24,623 30,953 
			 North East 26,051 24,966 26,074 15,909 
			 North West 24,324 31,750 31,896 36,198 
			  London local authorities 
			 Barking and Dagenham 36,055 29,093 14,873 n/a 
			 Barnet 45,960 46,022 27,243 36,996 
			 Bexley 37,423 51,689 6,650 n/a 
			 Brent 46,784 48,132 45,609 54,456 
			 Bromley 31,950 28,148 45,000 n/a 
			 Camden 59,646 59,242 39,703 49,204 
			 City of London n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Croydon 49,535 47,460 48,999 45,000 
			 Ealing 39,719 54,302 50,276 46,096 
			 Enfield 49,077 42,372 54,551 n/a 
			 Greenwich 43,277 32,666 35,250 44,852 
			 Hackney 44,401 48,580 46,905 42,275 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 36,799 53,068 48,219 n/a 
			 Haringey 57,643 48,331 48,893 48,165 
			 Harrow 49,338 48,000 36,667 42,000 
			 Havering 27,941 29,058 52,188 n/a 
			 Hillingdon 40,625 22,547 25,000 n/a 
			 Hounslow 39,707 48,043 40,079 41,195 
			 Islington 55,685 35,007 32,743 - 37,768 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 50,000 n/a 25,455 45,000 
			 Kingston upon Thames 15,351 59,157 43,941 35,000 
			 Lambeth 38,807 44,159 46,756 n/a 
			 Lewisham 64,771 28,168 55,956 n/a 
			 Merton 43,062 25,943 47,693 n/a 
			 Newham 47,342 36,341 43,632 47,000 
			 Redbridge 29,272 35,932 30,900 n/a 
			 Richmond upon Thames 10,962 50,000 38,800 37,500 
			 Southwark 75,070 40,513 63,538 n/a 
			 Sutton 37,504 43,821 26,269 16,667 
			 Tower Hamlets 42,404 30,852 25,564 45,402 
			 Waltham Forest 45,797 34,307 54,294 n/a 
			 Wandsworth 30,859 41,370 42,416 n/a 
			 Westminster 55,901 44,978 49,364 51,250 
			 n/a = Indicates that no allocations have been provided in these boroughs.

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the average rent paid on an  (a) two bedroom,  (b) three bedroom and  (c) four or more bedroom property is in (i) local authority and (ii) housing association property in each London borough; and what the real terms change has been since 2001-02.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is as follows:
	(i) Average local authority rents, in pounds per week, on two-, three- and four-bedroom dwellings in each London borough in 2005-06 are tabled as follows:
	
		
			  A—average rent 2005-06 
			  Bedroom:  Per week (£) 
			  Local authority  Two  Three  Four 
			 Barking and Dagenham 66.74 69.73 74.06 
			 Barnet 71.14 81.08 91.34 
			 Bexley LSVT LSVT LSVT 
			 Brent 78.15 90.02 101.9 
			 Bromley LSVT LSVT LSVT 
			 Camden 77.19 87.2 96.58 
			 City of London 69.81 75.27 78.71 
			 Croydon 74.55 90.08 104.27 
			 Ealing 73.5 82.45 102.74 
			 Enfield 72.5 81.89 93.1 
			 Greenwich 68.88 79.64 85.77 
			 Hackney 66.18 74.24 83.83 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 74.75 84.88 96.43 
			 Haringey 69.72 81.27 92.98 
			 Harrow 76.6 89.95 101.17 
			 Havering 58.36 72.09 83.79 
			 Hillingdon 81 96.07 101.74 
			 Hounslow 71.08 82.6 96.15 
			 Islington 75.42 82.62 97.68 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 85.09 92.97 109.62 
			 Kingston upon Thames 78.84 90.87 96.6 
			 Lambeth 72.09 83.41 91.67 
			 Lewisham 67.71 76.16 83.73 
			 Merton 73.12 83.1 91.76 
			 Newham 61.66 74.45 93.87 
			 Redbridge 75.85 86.62 99.29 
			 Richmond upon Thames LSVT LSVT LSVT 
			 Southwark 70.48 74.51 80.74 
			 Sutton n/a n/a n/a 
			 Tower Hamlets 73.86 84.47 94.49 
			 Waltham Forest 79.29 95.14 111.39 
			 Wandsworth 91.11 120.42 135.37 
			 Westminster 95.75 108.93 130.24 
			 n/a = data not available.  Note: LSVT—the LA has fully undergone Large Scale Voluntary Transfer of its LA stock to RSLs  Source: DCLG's unaudited Second Subsidy Claims Form 
		
	
	Figures on average local authority rents in 2001-02 are not held in a level of detail that is consistent with 2005-06 figures, so the real terms change from 2001-02 to 2005-06 cannot be calculated.
	(ii) Average registered social landlord rents, in pounds per week, on two-, three- and four-bedroom dwellings in each London borough in 2005-06 are tabled as follows. The real terms change in average weekly rent on two-, three- and four-bedroom dwellings in each London borough from 2001-02 to 2005-06 is also tabled:
	
		
			  Per week (£) 
			   RSL—average rent 2005-06  Change in rent since 2001-02 
			   Bedroom: 
			  Local authority  Two  Three  Four  Two  Three  Four 
			 Barking and Dagenham 76.07 82.86 91.09 0.55 0.12 -4.02 
			 Barnet 81.44 93.82 101.63 3.39 2.03 1.10 
			 Bexley 71.07 93.31 95.16 -1.50 -2.03 -1.62 
			 Brent 79.67 92.04 105.81 5.59 6.23 2.73 
			 Bromley 77.82 88.32 101.44 1.22 -0.55 -0.78 
			 Camden 84.82 94.57 110.13 6.76 1.22 -0.45 
			 City of London 75.74 87.24 n/a 8.18 8.29 n/a 
			 Croydon 80.97 92.53 105.00 0.50 -2.02 -2.86 
			 Ealing 83.31 97.87 107.73 7.99 7.78 3.40 
			 Enfield 78.49 91.81 104.61 3.86 3.41 2.16 
			 Greenwich 76.95 85.83 96.66 4.21 3.52 4.29 
			 Hackney 73.12 82.83 98.79 5.87 5.62 2.71 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 78.85 88.59 98.08 7.29 6.89 3.97 
			 Haringey 76.69 87.83 100.49 3.70 1.73 -1.94 
			 Harrow 78.04 91.36 104.90 -0.51 0.45 -0.60 
			 Havering 75.90 93.09 98.99 3.54 -0.85 -1.13 
			 Hillingdon 84.69 94.00 100.47 5.69 2.20 2.56 
			 Hounslow 81.06 89.04 98.68 4.23 1.96 -0.11 
			 Islington 76.55 85.17 102.12 6.46 5.18 5.13 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 77.41 86.86 100.18 8.41 7.83 5.39 
			 Kingston upon Thames 85.95 94.86 109.83 5.91 2.98 14.13 
			 Lambeth 70.73 81.87 95.19 2.48 2.47 2.42 
			 Lewisham 74.07 85.10 99.07 6.23 4.52 5.11 
			 Merton 79.53 89.49 97.10 3.07 1.21 2.87 
			 Newham 79.67 88.24 98.36 3.45 2.17 1.25 
			 Redbridge 80.68 93.25 103.85 0.83 -3.84 -4.18 
			 Richmond upon Thames 79.21 82.62 92.73 4.39 3.83 2.76 
			 Southwark 76.91 87.11 101.48 7.63 5.05 2.77 
			 Sutton 79.38 91.99 99.63 1.95 0.54 1.24 
			 Tower Hamlets 73.82 83.50 99.24 4.77 4.43 4.28 
			 Waltham Forest 75.69 88.73 99.76 2.78 -1.40 -4.57 
			 Wandsworth 83.56 95.25 104.41 7.05 6.01 3.75 
			 Westminster 85.30 93.42 102.87 6.69 5.52 -0.17 
			 n/a = data not available.  Source: Housing Corporation's Regulatory Statistical Return (RSR)

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many nominations have been offered to each London local authority through sub-regional housing partnerships since their introduction;
	(2)  what proportion of new housing units in each London local authority have been offered to other boroughs through the sub-regional housing partnerships since 2003-04; and what proportion that figure represents of all new units in that period.

Yvette Cooper: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold detailed information on the sub-regional nominations to London boroughs for new affordable housing funded with social housing grant through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme.

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of new housing units in each London local authority were designated as housing for disabled people in each of the last three years.

Yvette Cooper: The information requested is not held centrally.
	As part of Capital Moves, the proposed pan-London choice based lettings and mobility scheme, the Greater London Authority are developing a pan-London accessible housing register to better enable disabled people to find appropriate housing.

Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the average equity purchase was by people buying shared ownership properties in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) each London local authority in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what estimates she has made of the minimum household income required to enable a purchaser to buy a shared ownership property in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) each London local authority.

Yvette Cooper: The Department does not set minimum income limits for purchasers of shared ownership properties as this will vary depending on individual circumstances, including other outgoings and whether purchasers have a deposit. HomeBuy agents, as appointed housing associations who handle the application process, will make an assessment based on the maximum share that individual purchasers can afford and sustain.
	The average gross household income of purchasers buying a shared ownership property in England in 2005-06 was £26,000.
	The average initial equity stake for shared ownership properties in England for the 2005-06 financial year is 49 per cent. Information for each region and for each London local authority is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Regional—average initial equity stake purchased 
			  Region  Average (percentage) 
			 London 50 
			 South East 46 
			 South West 47 
			 East Midlands 49 
			 East 49 
			 West Midlands 49 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 51 
			 North East 51 
			 North West 53 
			 Merseyside 59 
		
	
	
		
			  London boroughs—average initial equity stake purchased 
			  London boroughs  Average (percentage) 
			 Ealing 44 
			 Southwark 46 
			 Havering 54 
			 Lewisham 59 
			 Bexley 65 
			 Greenwich 44 
			 Tower Hamlets 45 
			 Hounslow 44 
			 Bromley 64 
			 Newham 44 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 41 
			 Wandsworth 44 
			 City of London — 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 39 
			 Croydon 53 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 50 
			 Harrow 43 
			 Barnet 42 
			 Lambeth 54 
			 Sutton 60 
			 Enfield 48 
			 Hillingdon 49 
			 Brent 45 
			 Merton 65 
			 Hackney 49 
			 Waltham Forest 51 
			 Islington 32 
			 Redbridge 52 
			 Camden 43 
			 Westminster 43 
			 Haringey 50 
			 Barking and Dagenham 42 
			 Kingston upon Thames 57 
			  Note: All information provided by CORE data 2005-06.

Housing

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to allow arm's-length management organisations greater freedom to develop their role as landlords.

Yvette Cooper: The ALMO Review published on 7 June sets out how the Government see the long-term role of arm's-length management organisations (ALMOs). We want to see ALMOs play a wider role in developing successful, mixed communities as well as continuing to improve the quality of housing management services. ALMOs are already undertaking preparatory work on a range of options, including self-financing and new build opportunities, and the Settled Homes pilot scheme that we announced in July. The review also confirmed that high performing ALMOs can bid for social housing grant to build affordable housing in their areas.

Housing

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) social rented homes and  (b) shared ownership homes were built in Reading in each year since 1990.

Yvette Cooper: The following table shows homes provided for social rent and shared ownership in Reading through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme, Local Authority Social Housing Grant and Starter Home Initiative.
	
		
			   Social rent  Shared ownership 
			 1991-92 89 0 
			 1992-93 207 11 
			 1993-94 91 13 
			 1994-95 170 25 
			 1995-96 361 66 
			 1996-97 254 31 
			 1997-98 127 31 
			 1998-99 240 64 
			 1999-2000 79 1 
			 2000-01 49 8 
			 2001-02 109 18 
			 2002-03 94 104 
			 2003-04 86 121 
			 2004-05 146 143 
			 2005-06 43 36 
			 2006-08 193 72 
		
	
	These figures include both new build and acquisition and refurbishment.
	Figures for 2006-08 are indicative and based on allocations made by the Housing Corporation in their 2006-08 Affordable Housing Programme. This does not include shared ownerships and social rented homes funded entirely through Section 106. Nor does it include English Partnerships' first time buyers programme.

High Hedges

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department gives to councils on charges to deal with complaints relating to high hedges under part 8 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Our advice on fees under the high hedges legislation is in paragraphs 5.13 to 5.16 of the guidance document 'High Hedges Complaints: Prevention and Cure'. It indicates that each local authority is responsible for deciding whether, and at what level, to charge for dealing with complaints about high hedges.

Community Cohesion

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she last met  (a) male and  (b) female Muslim community leaders to discuss community cohesion.

Phil Woolas: Both the Secretary of State and I regularly meet both male and female Muslim stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including community cohesion.
	Most recently, on 14 August the Secretary of State hosted a series of meetings which brought together a wide range of Muslim leaders to discuss ways to promote community cohesion and tackle extremism.

Business Improvement District Legislation

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to ensure that the rights of property owners are protected in the Business Improvement District legislation.

Phil Woolas: Under the Business Improvement District (BID) legislation the occupiers of business property vote in a BID ballot and are liable to pay a BID levy if the ballot is successful. Property owners may make voluntary contributions, either financial or in-kind, to the development and implementations of a BID, but do not vote in the ballot and are not liable for the levy. Owners' rights in respect of their properties are not affected by the BID legislation.

Casinos

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will publish the advice her Department gave to  (a) Southend Council,  (b) Thames Gateway,  (c) Thames Gateway South Essex,  (d) Renaissance Southend,  (e) Essex County Council,  (f) East of England Development Authority,  (g) East of England Regional Assembly and  (h) other public bodies in the East of England on a single bid from the Thames Gateway region for a regional casino.

Yvette Cooper: In the preparation of the interim Thames Gateway Strategic Framework, officials did discuss with stakeholders whether the framework should express a preference for one of the five bids in the Thames Gateway if two or more candidates were shortlisted. No firm conclusion was reached and there was no discussion about supporting a particular bid. After consulting DCMS officials, DCLG officials decided not to take any action to accord priority to the Thames Gateway or a location within it. DCLG Ministers were not involved in any of this process. Greenwich was subsequently selected as the only shortlisted candidate for a regional casino in the Thames Gateway by the Independent Advisory Panel.

Casinos

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what discussions officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had with Thames Gateway regarding the possibility of prioritising a single bid for a regional casino being entered from the Thames Gateway region;
	(2)  what discussions officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had in February 2006 with Thames Gateway regarding Ministers' views on a single bid for a regional casino for the Thames Gateway region.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7 November 2006 (question 84393).

Central London

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition her Department uses of Central London; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Statutory Instrument 2000 No. 1493 defines Central London as covering all or part of Westminster, Camden, Lambeth, Southwark, Islington, City, Tower Hamlets and Wandsworth. Central London, however, is often generally taken to mean the 13 boroughs previously within the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA).

Climate Change

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on ways in which local authorities can more effectively tackle climate change.

Yvette Cooper: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 October in the context of the forthcoming Local Government White Paper for a wide-ranging discussion which covered the role of authorities in tackling environmental issues.

Council Tax

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the annual change was in the level of council tax in each London borough in each year since 1996-97; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The annual percentage change in the level of council tax by each district council in each London borough since 1996-97 are tabled as follows. Figures are based solely on the borough's element of the bill, which excludes the precepting amount from the Greater London Authority.
	
		
			  Annual percentage change in the level of council tax by each London borough since 1996-97( 1) 
			  Authority  1996-97  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02 
			 Barking and Dagenham 8.8 9.4 8.7 5.3 4.5 5.5 
			 Barnet 6.9 3.0 8.3 3.8 5.5 4.6 
			 Bexley 4.2 5.5 10.5 7.7 5.3 7.6 
			 Brent -3.3 22.5 4.4 16.4 7.6 5.2 
			 Bromley 9.6 6.2 2.9 10.1 8.4 10.3 
			 Camden 14.6 1.4 9.5 1.4 -1.3 4.3 
			 City of London 4.0 4.8 8.3 4.3 3.2 4.4 
			 Croydon 2.8 3.9 9.7 9.7 4.8 -1.7 
			 Ealing 2.6 9.0 8.6 9.5 5.8 6.2 
			 Enfield 5.4 1.8 5.0 7.5 7.4 8.8 
			 Greenwich 19.6 6.8 6.9 -0.9 -2.6 2.3 
			 Hackney 10.5 -9.2 -2.9 -1.0 4.8 10.0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 19.0 8.4 -1.9 4.5 4.5 4.6 
			 Haringey 3.0 5.0 1.9 4.4 2.0 0.0 
			 Harrow 3.4 15.2 6.9 8.8 6.9 8.0 
			 Havering 8.7 9.1 9.7 9.1 6.6 10.7 
			 Hillingdon 3.8 4.3 11.3 8.4 6.4 8.5 
			 Hounslow 7.7 3.0 4.0 8.9 6.8 9.1 
			 Islington 16.1 1.8 2.6 -0.8 -5.6 -2.8 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 3.0 0.8 0.8 7.5 5.0 13.1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4.6 6.3 8.8 13.2 7.5 7.5 
			 Lambeth -1.0 -3.8 -3.8 -2.2 -1.1 14.3 
			 Lewisham 6.0 3.1 2.3 6.6 8.4 10.2 
			 Merton 5.8 6.8 6.1 4.3 9.1 7.7 
			 Newham 2.8 8.1 3.0 2.8 7.6 4.9 
			 Redbridge 4.1 6.8 6.3 11.3 6.7 4.5 
			 Richmond upon Thames 4.1 3.3 0.4 9.5 7.7 7.9 
			 Southwark 27.4 0.8 4.0 2.3 2.5 6.1 
			 Sutton 4.0 4.8 9.7 6.3 4.5 7.3 
			 Tower Hamlets 17.0 -2.1 0.0 1.6 5.9 7.3 
			 Waltham Forest 10.5 11.6 -3.7 2.5 2.6 3.0 
			 Wandsworth -1.3 -6.8 -35.2 21.5 3.2 16.7 
			 Westminster 9.0 -1.3 4.0 8.7 2.3 10.2 
		
	
	
		
			  Authority  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Barking and Dagenham 5.7 11.7 5.5 3.5 3.5 
			 Barnet 2.5 22.8 6.8 1.9 2.0 
			 Bexley 4.5 14.9 7.5 4.7 3.9 
			 Brent 8.5 20.8 5.8 3.3 2.2 
			 Bromley 4.5 6.0 6.8 4.9 4.0 
			 Camden 4.1 12.1 2.8 2.0~ 1.9 
			 City of London 5.3 17.3 5.9 4.5 4.6 
			 Croydon 1.0 26.8 7.2 5.0 4.4 
			 Ealing 5.7 25.1 6.8 4.8 2.5 
			 Enfield 6.4 15.0 5.9 2.4 2.5 
			 Greenwich 2.6 10.8 4.1 2.9 0.9 
			 Hackney 10.0 10.0 4.9 1.9 0.0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 0.0 9.8 4.9 1.5 1.5 
			 Haringey 0.0 17.4 7.2 4.9 2.5 
			 Harrow 6.0 19.8 3.3 0.7 2.5 
			 Havering 6.8 14.9 5.2 2.9 1.7 
			 Hillingdon 7.6 13.5 4.8 3.9 2.9 
			 Hounslow 5.5 12.7 6.8 4.4 2.3 
			 Islington -4.5 19.0 5.0 4.2 0.0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 9.3 13.9 4.7 3.5 0.1 
			 Kingston upon Thames 11.3 12.6 7.0 5.0 3.6 
			 Lambeth 7.8 21.1 5.0 4.0 0.0 
			 Lewisham 7.9 9.4 5.0 4.9 2.5 
			 Merton 5.4 8.9 5.3 2.5 2.5 
			 Newham 5.0 9.8 4.8 4.8 1.9 
			 Redbridge 5.1 12.9 5.5 4.7 3.8 
			 Richmond upon Thames 8.9 13,1 5.2 3.1 0.0 
			 Southwark 3.7 4.3 2.4 1.8 0.0 
			 Sutton 8.2 11.9 7.4 4.8 3.9 
			 Tower Hamlets 2.0 14.0 4.7 4.0 0.0 
			 Waltham Forest 3.6 17.5 6.0 4.6 2.5 
			 Wandsworth -25.0 57.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 
			 Westminster 4.6 27.5 5.2 -0.1 1.9 
			 (1) Figures are based solely on the London borough's element of the bill, which excludes the precepting amount from the Greater London Authority.

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent by  (a) her Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons in each year since 2001-02.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold the information in the form requested which can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to overseas travel by Ministers is published on an annual basis. Information for the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2006 is available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2006-07 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.
	All expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers, and the Civil Service Management Code.

Departmental Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what foreign visits were undertaken by her departmental staff on official business in the last 12 months.

Angela Smith: Over the last 12 months departmental staff took in total 519 foreign trips on official business of which 479 were to Europe (outside UK); six trips to Africa; 26 trips to North America; one foreign trip to South America and seven trips to Asia (inc. Middle East).

Departmental Vacancies

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of vacancies in her Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

Angela Smith: The Department was created on 5 May 2006, so information is only available from that time.
	The Department has recruited externally for seven specialist posts, all of which have required at least a degree standard of education.

Digital Challenge

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  whether ethnic monitoring  (a) has been and  (b) will be undertaken in respect of Digital Challenge (i) shortlisted and (ii) successful bids;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure ethnic minorities are fully involved in Digital Challenge bids;
	(3)  how many ethnic minority organisations are involved in Digital Challenge bids;
	(4)  what the criteria are for consideration of Digital Challenge bids.

Phil Woolas: Digital Challenge bids were shortlisted according to a number of criteria, including a focus on "socially excluded" groups. In evaluating bids, a focus on ethnic minority groups was not included as a specific criterion, as the effective use of ICT and benefits of digital inclusion cut across the sub-divisions of socially excluded populations including ethnic minority groups. Further information on the 79 proposals received and an analysis is available on the Digital Challenge website:
	www.digitalchallenge.gov.uk.
	The Digital Challenge Outline Prospectus made it clear to all bidders submitting proposals that bids should be inclusive and representative of their local communities. We have created an opportunity for organisations, including those representing ethnic minorities, to become engaged in the Digital Challenge process through the Digital Challenge Community Network (DCCN), an interdependent network for public, private, voluntary and academe to rise to the challenge of using ICT and innovation as enablers of digital and social inclusion. Further information on the network and the original prospectus are published on the Digital Challenge website.
	It is not possible to definitively state the number of ethnic minority organisations involved in the Digital Challenge process. However, each of the remaining 10 bidders are actively engaging and working with ethnic minority organisations.
	The full criteria for the Digital Challenge bids have been provided to all the 10 and are published on the Digital Challenge website at:
	http://www.digitalchallenge.gov.uk/top-ten-finalists-1/top-ten-finalists-1/guidance-on-submitting-your-bid.

EU Business Support

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much EU funding was spent on small and medium-sized enterprises in the last period for which figures are available for  (a) the South East England Development Agency and  (b) all regional development agencies.

Phil Woolas: My Department is responsible for the implementation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in England, one of the European Structural Funds targeted at EU regions whose economic development is lagging behind.
	For the current round of ERDF programmes from 2000-06, £497,630,629 ERDF grant has been awarded to English RDAs from the mainstream programmes, of which £1,562,471 has been awarded to the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).
	Of the other two main Structural Funds, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is responsible for the Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).
	I can report on behalf of the DWP, that £48,974,962 ESF has been granted to RDAs, which covers the three RDAs which are the co-financing organisations for ESF, including SEEDA. Of this, £13,691,402 has been awarded to SEEDA.
	I can also report on behalf of DEFRA, that no EAGGF funds have been allocated to RDAs in any of the three regions which receive that fund.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 376W, on home condition reports, when she expects negotiations and procurement to have been completed.

Yvette Cooper: Good progress is being made on the procurement and the negotiations for the home condition report register with the preferred supplier Landmark Information Group. We expect to award the contract shortly.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 1656W, on Home Condition Reports/Information Packs, if she will place in the Library copies of the written advice provided by the Information Commissioner.

Yvette Cooper: The Department for Communities and Local Government had various discussions with the Information Commissioner's Office on the Register of Home Condition Reports, The Information Commissioner's Office did not provide a formal response document.

Home Condition Reports/Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her estimate is of the cost of a home information pack for an average leasehold  (a) flat and  (b) house.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 6 November 2006 (question 94852).
	We do not have a separate assessment of the likely cost of packs for leasehold properties.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of those applying as homeless in Reading have been found to be  (a) homeless and  (b) not in priority need of temporary accommodation in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The following table sets out the number of households who were found to be eligible for assistance, homeless and not in priority need by Reading borough council in each year since 1997.
	
		
			   Number 
			 1997-98 106 
			 1998-99 110 
			 1999-2000 78 
			 2000-01 137 
			 2001-02 114 
			 2002-03 69 
			 2003-04 84 
			 2004-05 53 
			 2005-06 41 
		
	
	Information on English local authorities' activities under homelessness legislation is collected on quarterly P1(E) housing returns from local authorities and relates to households. This covers all decisions made in respect of homelessness applications to the authority and includes those which were found to be eligible, unintentionally homeless, but not in priority need. These households are not owed a main homelessness duty by the local authority.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the provision of hostel bed spaces for homeless people in Reading.

Yvette Cooper: We are investing over £700,000 from our Hostels Capital Improvement Programme in Reading. This money is providing supported housing for six to eight rough sleepers with drug and alcohol issues and a new 40-bed hostel for young people.
	In addition, Reading have received £250,000 non-ringfenced homelessness grant from DCLG in 2006-07.
	In 2003 every local authority was required to put in place a homelessness strategy to prevent homelessness and provide accommodation and support. It is for local authorities to decide how to use their homelessness grant to effectively deliver their strategies.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of her Department's street count methodology in establishing an accurate picture of the extent of street homelessness in England.

Yvette Cooper: The methodology and guidance for conducting street counts was developed by the former Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in partnership with Shelter. Independent evaluation by the National Audit Office has shown that it is the most effective method for evaluating the changing levels of people sleeping rough.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much of the £70 million for homelessness prevention services made available by her Department to local authorities in 2006-07 is designated for the provision of additional hostel bed spaces for homeless rough sleepers during periods of severe weather.

Yvette Cooper: Local authorities are expected to have plans in place to ensure that there is severe weather emergency provision for rough sleepers. The cost of meeting this provision is covered by DCLG's non-ringfenced homelessness grant to each local authority.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she is taking to monitor the performance of local authorities in providing sufficient hostel bed spaces for homeless rough sleepers during periods of severe weather.

Yvette Cooper: We will be writing to local authorities reminding them that they should have severe weather emergency provision plans in place for any rough sleepers.
	Usually, the trigger for severe weather provision will be a forecast predicting three consecutive nights, or more, of a minimum temperature of zero degrees Celsius or lower.
	It is up to local authorities how they make this provision.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless rough sleepers her Department's street count has identified in Reading in each year since 2001.

Yvette Cooper: The number of rough sleepers in Reading in each year since 2001 is set out in the following table. The numbers represent rough sleepers identified by single night street counts conducted by the local authority as reported on the annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) return.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001 18 
			 2002 7 
			 2003 4 
			 2004 6 
			 2005 11 
			 2006 2

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding was allocated by her Department to each voluntary sector organisation helping homeless people in Reading in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The Department has allocated capital funding of £165,000 in 2005-06 and £69,000 in 2006-07. The Department does not provide any direct revenue funding to voluntary sector organisations in Reading.

Homelessness

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent to local authorities in December 2005 on hostel spaces for the accommodation of homeless rough sleepers during the winter of 2005-06.

Yvette Cooper: A copy of the letter sent to local authorities in December 2005 on severe weather provision for rough sleepers has now been placed in the Library.

Household Projections

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many additional households were attributable to migration in  (a) 2003 and  (b) 2004; what estimate the Government had previously made of additional households attributable to migration in these years for the purpose of household projections; and what plans she has to adjust future household projections to 2026 to take account of the actual level of migration in 2003 and 2004.

Yvette Cooper: DCLG household projections which are used to estimate future housing requirements are based on the Office for National Statistics (ONS) population projections. The assumptions about international migration in these are then translated into the DCLG household projections. The migration from the eight accession countries is not accounted for separately.
	The DCLG 2003 based household projections show a projected increase in households in England between 2003 and 2006 of 580,000 of which 105,000 (18 per cent.) is attributable to net migration.
	The 2003 based household projections were based on the ONS 2003 based population projections that assumed a long-term net migration into the UK of 130,000 per year. ONS has subsequently released 2004 based population projections that involve an assumed long-term figure of 145,000 per year. This latest projection also includes higher short-term figures in order to take account of A8. The Department for Communities and Local Government plans to produce updated household projections that take account of the 2004 based population projections.

Housing (Migration)

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1416W, on housing (migration), what account is taken of migrants from the 2004 EU accession states in the 2003 household projections.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 7 November (Question 94217).

Housing Act

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many final Empty Dwelling Management Orders under the Housing Act 2004 the Government expect to be granted; what extra resources are planned to be allocated to residential property tribunals for hearing EDMO cases; under what circumstances a property owner will be able to ask for a final EDMO to be lifted within the seven-year period; what rights a property owner has in respect of a local housing authority which is not managing a property which is subject to an EDMO to a reasonable standard; whether a local housing authority will be able to charge a reasonable management fee; and what rights neighbours will have in respect of tenants of a property subject to an EDMO in cases of anti-social behaviour.

Yvette Cooper: We do not know how many Empty Dwelling Management Orders will be made in practice since they have been introduced, as many local authorities are finding them a helpful backstop which encourages greater voluntary action to bring properties back into use.
	An additional £1 million is being made available annually to the Residential Property Tribunal Service (RPTS) to cover its new jurisdictions under the Housing Act 2004.
	A property owner may at any time ask for a final EDMO to be revoked early by the council. If the council refuses to revoke the order, the property owner can appeal to the RPTS. A local authority may revoke the order if it concludes: there are no steps which it could appropriately take to secure occupation of the dwelling; that keeping the order in force is not necessary; it is satisfied the dwelling will become either or continue to be occupied despite the revocation; it is satisfied the dwelling will be sold; it would be appropriate to revoke the order to prevent or stop interference with the rights of a third party; a further final EDMO will be made to replace the existing order; or in any other circumstances the local authority consider it would be appropriate to revoke the order.
	A local authority must take such steps it considers appropriate when an Empty Dwelling Management Order is in force to ensure proper management of the dwelling. A final EDMO must contain a management scheme setting out how the local authority intends to manage the property. A property owner may apply to the residential property tribunal for an order requiring the authority to manage the dwelling in accordance with the scheme.
	A local authority is not restricted in setting a management fee in respect of a dwelling subject to an EDMO and would seek to recover its fees (or those of its appointed manager) from any rental income accrued from letting the dwelling.
	Neighbouring property owners would be entitled to complain to the local authority about the behaviour of tenants of a property subject to an EDMO in the same way they would be entitled to complain to any property manager.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Angela Smith: My Department recognises the International GCSE but it is accepted only from those countries which come under the civil service nationality rules. It is accepted from nationals of European Economic Area member states, members of the Commonwealth and Swiss nationals who have the right to work in the UK.

Interreg

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on the EU Interreg programme.

Phil Woolas: The European Union Interreg Community Initiative is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, not the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	Member states involved in programmes funded from the Interreg Community Initiative are expected to contribute to the technical assistance budget for the programme, which is allocated to cover the administrative costs of the programme. The Department and its predecessors have contributed just over £5 million in total since 2003. The Department and its predecessors have also provided some match funding for projects in England and other activity designed to support the programmes. This has amounted to around £7 million in total in the three years 2003-04 to 2005-06.

Land Use

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of the number of local authorities which have introduced technology which is able fully to interact with the National Land Information Service.

Phil Woolas: The National Land Information Service (NLIS) is a system allowing land and property searches to be made electronically, speeding up the conveyancing process. As at April 2006, all local authorities can accept searches via NLIS. Over 100 authorities can accept the delivery of searches straight into their Local Land Charges system, i.e. they can fully interact with NLIS.

Land Use

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) targets were set and  (b) (i) traffic lights and (ii) benchmarks were applied to local authorities by the Implementing Electronic Government programmes in relation to the implementation of the National Land Information Service.

Phil Woolas: In December 1998, the National Land Information Service (NLIS) project was awarded £2.3 million from the Government's Invest to Save Budget. Evaluation of this project is in line with standard procedures for ISB funded work and did not fall within traffic light targets for Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) programmes.

Landlords

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many registered social landlord (RSL) homes were sold in 2005-06, broken down by  (a) RSL and  (b) local authority area.

Yvette Cooper: Sales of the numbers of registered social landlord (RSLs) homes to sitting tenants for RSLs operating in England are collected by the Regulatory and Statistical Return of the Housing Corporation and can be analysed by RSL or local authority. The Regulatory and Statistical Return long form is only completed by those RSLs that own more than 250 dwellings and bedspaces. The return is split into 12 parts with only two parts containing information across local authority areas. Therefore not all the information about RSL sales to sitting tenants is available at local authority level.
	Information has been placed in the Library of the House as follows:
	Table 1 shows sales to sitting tenants in 2005-06 by RSLs for only those RSLs that reported sales. Split into those sales there were Right to Buy/Right to Acquire and all other sales to sitting tenants; Source: Part K Housing Corporation Regulatory and Statistical Return (long) 2006.
	Table 2 shows for all local authorities irrespective of whether or not sales were reported in their area the number of Right to Buy/Right to Acquire sales in 2005-06; Source: Part O Housing Corporation Regulatory and Statistical Return (long) 2006.
	There were four Right to Buy/Right to Acquire sales in Scotland in 2005-06 included in Table 1.

Millennium Dome

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the Exchequer would receive a profit share from the operation of a casino on the Millennium Dome site.

Meg Munn: holding answer 11 July 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response in the Treasury Minute on the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts 2005-06 on "The Regeneration of the Millennium dome and Associated Land" (copies of which are in the Libraries of both Houses).

Millennium Dome

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate the Government have made of the revenue to the Exchequer from the millennium/02 dome once it is open to the public as an entertainment venue as part of the profit share agreement; and whether this estimate has assumed a casino usage for the site.

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 7 November 2006 (question 84602).

Office of Public Sector Information

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how frequently she meets representatives of the Office of Public Sector Information.

Phil Woolas: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not met with representatives of the Office of Public Sector Information.

Online Services

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the levels of take-up have been of online services since the Connect to Your Council campaign was instigated, broken down by local authority.

Phil Woolas: Among internet users, market research figures show that people accessing council websites has risen by 88 per cent. from 1 in 11 pre-campaign to 1 in 6 post-campaign. The level of online service take-up since the commencement of the campaign broken down by individual local authority is not recorded, but independent evidence from both the Society of Information Technology Management (SOCITM) and web traffic monitoring company Hitwise show Directgov accounting for 10 per cent. of total visits to local authority websites in June. Copies of the Central Office of Information (COI) evaluation report on the impact of the first burst of the campaign are available from the Department for Communities and Local Government website.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health for each pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; what the incidence of ill-health retirement was as a percentage of all retirement in such schemes in each year since 1988-89; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current rate of ill-health retirement is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The information is as follows.
	 Local Government Pension Scheme
	Under the current provisions of the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales, ill-health retirement benefits are paid to scheme members who cease a local government, or comparable employment, by reason of permanent ill-health or infirmity of mind or body. The benefits are enhanced incrementally depending on the length of scheme membership.
	The incidence of ill-health retirement in the scheme, as a percentage of all retirements since 2000-01 is shown in the following table. Information before 2000-01 is not held centrally.
	
		
			   Ill-health retirements  All retirements  Ill-health retirements as percentage of total 
			 2000-01 10,611 41,360 26 
			 2001-02 9,805 36,741 27 
			 2002-03 7,515 34,855 22 
			 2003-04 6,784 37,373 18 
			 2004-05 6,079 38,964 16 
			 2005-06 5,213 40,083 13+ 
		
	
	 Firefighters Pension Scheme
	Prior to September 2004, a member of the Firefighters Pension Scheme 1992 was entitled to an ill-health retirement pension if permanently disabled from engaging in firefighting. Thereafter, the scheme was amended to limit the entitlement to a person who is permanently unfit for engaging in firefighting or performing other duties appropriate to his role as a firefighter, other than or in addition to engaging in firefighting.
	The 1992 Pension Scheme was further amended in July 2006 to introduce two tier ill-health retirement arrangements. A person is entitled to an upper tier award if incapable of undertaking regular work. Regular employment is defined as meaning employment for 30 hours a week on average over a period of not less than 12 consecutive months. The accrued pension is enhanced. The pension of a person with a lower tier award is not enhanced.
	Similar provisions will apply in the New Firefighters Pension Scheme 2006.
	In the period 1994-99, the incidence of ill-health retirements as a percentage of all retirements was 68 per cent. From 1999-2000 to 2004-05 the figures were as shown as follows. Figures for 2005-06 are not yet available.
	It is expected that due to the scheme amendments outlined above, figures for 2005-06 and 2006-07 will show a continuing substantial decline.
	
		
			  Ill-health retirements for regular firefighters in England 
			   Ill-health retirements  Percentage 
			 1999-2000 547 51.7 
			 2000-01 565 54.5 
			 2001-02 437 43.7 
			 2002-03 554 42.8 
			 2003-04 485 46.5 
			 2004-05 323 24.7

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The normal retirement age in the Local Government Pension Scheme is 65. Members can choose to retire early without employer consent from age 60, or with employer consent between 50 and 60, and in these cases the pension may be subject to actuarial reduction. From age 50 pension can also come into payment on grounds of efficiency or redundancy. The scheme also provides for pension on grounds of ill health at any age once the qualification test is satisfied.
	The normal pension age for members of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 is 55 and there are no proposals to change this position.
	The Local Government Pension Scheme has an accrual rate of l/80th per year of membership with an automatic lump sum accruing at 3/80ths.
	The accrual rate for the 1992 Firefighters' Pension Scheme are l/60th of pensionable pay for each year of the first 20 years of service and 2/60th for the remaining 10 years, to give a maximum of 40/60th.
	The 1992 scheme is now closed to new members and firefighters recruited since 6 April 2006 will be members of the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006. The new scheme has been subject to consultation and we expect to make the order bringing the new scheme into operation shortly. The normal retirement age for members of the 2006 scheme will be 60.
	The accrual rate for the 2006 scheme will be l/60th of pensionable pay. There will be no maximum.
	Neither firefighters' scheme provides for compulsory retirement and, subject to the agreement of the employing authority, members may continue in employment with membership of the relevant pension scheme once they reach the normal pension/retirement age.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what savings estimate she has made of the effect on costs of the reforms to public sector pensions agreed with trades unions in 2005 for each year between 2006-07 and 2050-51; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The changes made this year to the Local Government Pension Schemes after extensive consultations with major stakeholders will produce savings of some 2.5 per cent. to 3 per cent. of pensionable payroll. Some 50 per cent. of this saving is being used to provide either transitional protection or is being recycled into a new-look scheme for scheme members, planned to come into force from 1 April 2008.
	The pension arrangements for firefighters were also reviewed outside the Public Service Forum and details of the new arrangements aimed at modernising and tackling the high cost and inflexibility of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 were announced on 8 September 2005, in Firefighters' Pension Scheme circular 2/2005, following public consultation.
	The new arrangements which were implemented for entrants to the fire and rescue service from 6 April are estimated to cost 22.7 per cent. of pensionable pay compared with 37.5 per cent. from the 1992 scheme.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the current estimate is of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and on what assumptions for  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity the estimate is based.

Phil Woolas: The latest available information about the unfunded liabilities of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme is set out in the note laid in the House of Commons Library by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary on 2 March 2006. The Local Government Pension Scheme is a funded scheme.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate she has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions in each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: For the period up to the financial year 2007-08,1 refer to the answer given on 17 July 2005,  Official Report, column 125W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman). Employer contribution rates are set for three-year periods by the actuarial valuation undertaken for each local government pension scheme administering authority. The next valuation, due at 31 March 2007, will set new employer costs for a three-year period from 1 April 2008 onwards. Employers' contributions in 2005-06 totalled £4.1 billion.
	The rate of the employer contribution for each member of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 1992 is 26.5 per cent. of pensionable pay, and for each member of the New Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2006, 14.2 per cent. Total current estimated employers' costs are approximately £215 million.

Planning

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints she received about the Planning Inspectorate in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The number of complaints that were received by the Planning Inspectorate in the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Period  Number of complaints received 
			 2005-06 2,785 
			 2004-05 2,283 
			 2003-04 2,095 
			 2002-03 2,063 
			 2001-02 2,655 
		
	
	The Planning Inspectorate inevitably deals with the most contested and controversial planning applications and this can generate strong views and complaints in addition to justified complaints about procedures.

Slave Trade

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for a national day to mark the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

Meg Munn: The Government will be making announcements in due course on a package of action, how we communicate what we are doing on slavery and on race equality more widely.

Slave Trade

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she will announce her plans to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

Meg Munn: The Government are working with stakeholders to develop plans to mark the 200(th) anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
	The 2007 Bicentenary Advisory Group met on 17 October and the Government will be making an announcement in due course about their plans to mark the bicentenary.
	Preparations in central Government are well under way and there will be a number of activities to ensure the bicentenary is properly recognised.
	The Advisory Group will galvanise action across cultural, faith and community sectors to ensure that 2007 makes an impact across the country and that the bicentenary is relevant to local communities.

Stronger and Prosperous Communities White Paper

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the 200 outcome-based indicators referred to in the Strong and Prosperous Communities White Paper.

Phil Woolas: The Local Government White Paper "Strong and Prosperous Communities", published on 26 October, set out our aim to radically reduce the number of nationally-set performance indicators which local government must report to central Government. The content of the single set of around 200 national indicators will be determined through the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review process.

Supporting People Programme

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the development of cross-authority funding arrangements in the use of the Supporting People programme by administering authorities.

Phil Woolas: There are currently no cross-authority funding arrangements in place for the use of Supporting People funding by administering authorities. However the Department for Communities and Local Government is aware that there are some authorities currently developing cross-authority funding arrangements.

Sustainable Buildings

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the performance of local authority energy managers in increasing the energy efficiency of buildings managed by local authorities.

Phil Woolas: Information about the energy efficiency of housing stock owned by local authorities is collected annually. Between 2000-01 and 2004-05, the average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of local authority owned dwellings increased from 52 to 64(1). SAP is an index of the annual cost of heating a dwelling to achieve a standard heating regime and runs from one (highly inefficient) to 120 (highly efficient). We do not collect data on the energy efficiency of other local authority buildings.
	( 1) Source:
	Best Value Performance Indicator 63.

Tenant Referencing

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of local authority tenant referencing schemes in tackling antisocial behaviour in communities with a high proportion of private sector landlords.

Yvette Cooper: The Department encourages local authorities to work constructively with private landlords. It is for each local authority to decide how best it works with private landlords on tenant management issues and assess the effectiveness of any scheme it puts in place locally.

Thames Gateway

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings officials in her Department had with  (a) Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership,  (b) Thames Gateway Kent Partnership and  (c) Thames Gateway London Partnership during 2006; which officials were in attendance; which other organisations were represented at the meetings; and if she will place the minutes of the meetings in the Library.

Yvette Cooper: During the course of 2006 the following formal board meetings have taken place, at which DCLG officials have been in attendance. The meetings are listed with officials who attended as follows:
	 (a) Thames Gateway South Essex Partnership (TGSEP) has held three board meetings
	8 February—DCLG Hulya Mustafa
	29 March—DCLG Hulya Mustafa
	10 May—DCLG Elizabeth Cowie, Jeff Channing
	 (b) Thames Gateway Kent Partnership (TGKP) has held two board meetings
	28 February—DCLG Ben Stoneman
	23 May—DCLG Ros Dunn, Andy De Lord and Ben Stoneman
	30 June—Discussion on the Thames Gateway Strategic Framework, DCLG Ros Dunn
	 (c) Thames Gateway London Partnership (TGLP) has held two board meetings
	21 February—DCLG Jey Jeyaraj
	27 June—Jey Jeyaraj
	These meetings have core board members plus guest speakers who vary from meeting to meeting. The following organisations have been present at the meetings in 2006.
	 (a) TGSEP: Essex County Council, Baker Tilly, Castle Point Borough Council, Thurrock Council, Rochford District Council, GO East, Thurrock PCT, TTGDC, Basildon District Council, Finishing Line, Southend Borough Council, Greengrid Partnership, LSC, Social Regeneration Forum, Renaissance Southend.
	 (b) TGKP: Environment Agency, Highways Agency, Medway Council, Swale Borough Council, Sport England South East, Culture Thames Gateway, TGKP CE, Swale Forward, Kent County Council, Genecon, Kent Thameside Delivery Board, Press, Gravesham Borough Council.
	 (c) TGLP: London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Greenwich, Hackney, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, and also SELSHA, Goldsmiths University, ECCIC, and TfL.
	Minutes of meetings for this year will be placed in the House Library for TGKP and TGLP, and minutes from the 19 July 2006 onwards will be placed in the Library of the House.
	As part of their normal business, DCLG officials have also spoken with and met a number of representatives from all three partnerships.

Travellers' Sites

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the letter of 11 October 2006 from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner), what the evidential basis is for her statement that local authority Travellers' sites are accepted as a part of their local communities.

Meg Munn: The Department's Gypsy and Traveller Unit has extensive contact with local authorities and others who are responsible for socially rented Gypsy and Traveller caravan sites. They report many examples of well managed and maintained sites where the residents live alongside the settled community with no reported tensions. There are numerous examples of site residents becoming involved in local events and, for example, participating in neighbourhood watch schemes. Where tensions with the settled community do occur in particular cases, the Government have provided strong powers for local authorities to address unauthorised camping and antisocial behaviour. It would be wrong to allow a few high-profile cases to distort the overall picture.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the  (a) presentation,  (b) speech and  (c) handout given by the Valuation Office Agency's Paul Sanderson at the International Property Tax Institute Conference in Kuala Lumpur on 23 August 2006.

Phil Woolas: It is not my policy to answer questions which identify individual civil servants.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 1680W, on the Valuation Office Agency, what the numeric value is of the co-efficient applied to variable for the FC dwellinghouse code in the multiple regression formula.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 6 November 2006
	With the council tax revaluation in England postponed until after at least this Parliament the issue does not arise.

Waste Management

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for extra support to local authorities under the Local Government Financial Settlement to enable them to meet targets on recycling and waste management.

Phil Woolas: The need to meet waste targets was factored into Spending Review 2004. Overall Government grant, which includes grants for specific services, increased by £2.7 billion in 2006-07 and is set to increase by £3.1 billion in 2007-08. This includes the extra funding taking the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant to £105 million in 2006-07 and £110 million in 2007-08. There are no plans to re-open the Local Government Finance Settlement in 2007-08.

WALES

Dee Estuary

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what agencies are involved in the administration of the Dee estuary.

Peter Hain: There are two agencies involved in the administration of the Dee estuary: the DEFRA Marine Fisheries Agency acting in its own right in the English zone, and acting on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government in the Welsh zone; and the Environment Agency, acting as a Sea Fisheries Committee under the Sea Fisheries Regulation Act 1966.

Olympic Games

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the use of Welsh sporting venues in connection with the 2012 London Olympics.

Peter Hain: Wales has an important contribution to make to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I meet with relevant Assembly Government Ministers on a regular basis to discuss the opportunities presented. In addition, the Welsh Assembly Government are represented on the nations and regions group of the London Organising Committee.
	I am delighted that the millennium stadium in Cardiff will be hosting part of the football tournament. Wales has many excellent training facilities and will offer a warm welcome to visiting teams and their supporters.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Weekly Information Bulletin

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will arrange for the Weekly Information Bulletins to be made available in PDF format; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The House of Commons Information Office will arrange for a PDF version of the Weekly Information Bulletin to be published on the parliamentary intranet from the start of the next Session.
	A project is currently under way to redesign the Bulletin to improve the layout and clarity of information presented. Readers and subscribers were surveyed over the summer for their views and suggestions, which are being incorporated into a development plan for the Bulletin that will be implemented over the coming year.

SCOTLAND

Climate Change

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to assist in combating climate change in Scotland.

Douglas Alexander: Scotland shares in the various national and international actions which the Government have been supporting to combat carbon emissions and address the problems of climate change.

Climate Change

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of climate change on Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The UK Climate Impacts Programme provides a series of climate change scenarios. The Scottish Executive have published a number of research projects and a handbook of climate trends over the last century. Together these give practitioners in Scotland access to some of the best climate information available.

Terrorism

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on counter-terrorism measures in Scotland.

Douglas Alexander: I have frequent discussions with ministerial colleagues on a wide range of issues.

Wild Salmon

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many wild salmon were caught by commercial nets in Scotland in 2004 and 2005.

David Cairns: The figures for wild salmon caught by commercial nets in Scotland were 27,160 in 2004 and 29,137 in 2005.

Community Cohesion

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on engaging more effectively with the Muslim community in Scotland.

David Cairns: My right hon. Friend regularly meets Cabinet colleagues to discuss a wide range of issues. Both he and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government are members of the Ministerial Committee on Domestic Affairs at which issues on engaging with the Muslim community are discussed.

Economic Growth

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the prospects are for growth in the Scottish economy; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Ms Clark).

Economic Growth

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the most recent gross domestic product growth figures for Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Scotland continues to benefit from the economic stability delivered by this Government, which is demonstrated by the recent gross domestic product data. I welcome these figures that show output growth of 0.6 per cent. over the last quarter and 2.2 per cent. over the last year, which is above the long-term trend rate of growth for the Scottish economy.

Departmental Expenditure

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on its press office in each year since 1999  (a) in total and  (b) per press officer.

David Cairns: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			   Cost( 1)  (£)  Cost per press officer( 2)  (£) 
			 1999-2000(3) 44,078 11,019 
			 2000-01 178,236 44,559 
			 2001-02 157,826 39,456 
			 2002-03 162,021 40,505 
			 2003-04 136,932 45,644 
			 2004-05 131,149 43,716 
			 2005-06 122,375 61,187 
			 (1) This includes expenditure that can be directly attributable to the press office, such as salaries, overtime, ERNIC, on-call allowances, travel and press cuttings service; it does not include overhead costs, such as accommodation, utilities and corporate services, which are paid centrally.  (2) The cost per press officer is obtained by dividing the total cost each year by the number of press officers in post at 31 March at the end of the relevant year. It does not therefore reflect any variations in the number of press officers during each year.  (3) Part-year cost from 1 July 1999, when the office was created, to 31 March 2000.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many redundancies there were in his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each such year; how many temporary staff were employed in each such year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to the Department in each such year.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established in July 1999; since this date there have been no redundancies from the Office.
	The information on temporary staff is shown in the table. The figures relate to the total number of temporary staff—sometimes reflecting several such temporary staff filling posts in succession. They do not reflect the total number of posts filled by temporary staff.
	
		
			   Number 
			  Scotland Office and Office of the Advocate-General for Scotland  
			 1999-2000 13 
			 2000-01 16 
			 2001-02 19 
			 2002-03 15 
			 2003-04 20 
			 2004-05 6 
			   
			  Scotland Office  
			 2005-06 0 
			   
			  Office of the Advocate-General for Scotland  
			 2005-06 7 
			  Note: Prior to 2005-06, separate figures were not maintained for SO and OAG. 
		
	
	One individual was seconded in 2001 and three were seconded in 2002 from outside organisations.

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its work force,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: All staff in the Scotland Office are on secondment from either the Department for Constitutional Affairs or the Scottish Executive and are covered under any age-related policies or initiatives operated by their parent Departments.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what proportion of vacancies in his Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE;
	(2)  whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office does not recruit staff directly and all staff are on secondment from either the Department for Constitutional Affairs or the Scottish Executive. Posts in the Office are filled by civil servants who meet the competencies and skills relevant to that post.

Devolution

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent devolution issues the Advocate-General has considered.

David Cairns: Since 10 October, 62 devolution issues have been intimated to the Advocate-General. Of these 62 devolution issues, 45 related to civil proceedings and 17 related to criminal proceedings.

Dover House

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many times his Department's offices in Dover house have been used by Ministers from the Scottish Executive in each month since May 2005; and what the length of stay was on each occasion.

David Cairns: The following table shows the number of visits to Dover house by Scottish Executive Ministers and Law Officers in each of the months from May 2005 to October 2006.
	
		
			   Number of visits 
			  2005  
			 May 5 
			 June 6 
			 July 5 
			 August 1 
			 September 5 
			 October 4 
			 November 3 
			 December 16 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 5 
			 February 5 
			 March 5 
			 April 2 
			 May 3 
			 June 2 
			 July 12 
			 August 0 
			 September 0 
			 October 3 
			 Total (18 months) 82 
		
	
	A visit is counted as a day or part of a day. More precise information on the length of stay is not available.

Dover House

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what training his Department's security staff based in Dover house have received since 5 May 2005 in  (a) counter-terrorism and  (b) customer service.

David Cairns: The security guards employed in Dover house are all licensed by the Security Industry Authority. In accordance with the terms of their licences, they have received and will continue to receive appropriate training in all their duties.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Office.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office subscribes to the principles of environmental performance adopted by the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today by the Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird).

TREASURY

2018 World Cup

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department will publish its feasibility study on the UK hosting the 2018 World Cup; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: A study into the feasibility of England hosting a future football World Cup Championship will be published jointly in due course by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Treasury.

Al-Qaeda

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many organisations found to have links with al-Qaeda have had their assets frozen; how much has been frozen in total; how much of this has been returned to legitimate authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: A total of 359 individuals and 124 organisations suspected of having links with al-Qaeda and the Taliban have been designated by the UN Sanctions Committee, the EU and the UK Government.
	Financial assets frozen in the UK under the al-Qaeda and Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2002 total approximately £560,866, of which £85,337 belongs to organisations.
	The fight against terrorist financing is an international issue that has been successful in freezing $94 million across 34 countries.
	The asset freezing regime is designed to prevent funds, economic resources and financial services from being made available to anyone who is designated under the order on suspicion of involvement with terrorism, and does not include a power to seize assets.

Asset Freezing Working Group

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the report of his Department's Asset Freezing Working Group will be published.

Stephen Timms: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement to Parliament on terrorist finance on 10 October 2006.
	On this basis, the Government would expect to publish its first quarterly report to Parliament by early in the New Year. The Government do not publish reports considered by the Asset Freezing Working Group on individual cases.

Authorised Press Officials

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 24 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1829W, on authorised press officials, which special advisers and members of his Council of Economic Advisers he has authorised to represent his views to the media.

John Healey: All contact with the press by Treasury officials or special advisers is conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers respectively.

Cadet Forces

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on School Combined Cadet Forces in the last 12 months.

John Healey: This is a matter for the Secretary of State for Defence.

Call Centres

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 1801-2W, on call centres, how many and what proportion of calls to his Department and its agencies in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06 and  (d) 2006-07 were (i) handled by an adviser, (ii) received but abandoned and (iii) received an engaged tone in each year, broken down by line of business;
	(2)  how many calls to HM Revenue and Customs helplines received an engaged tone in each month from 1 April to 31 October.

Dawn Primarolo: The requested data are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost

Carers

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of how many carers between  (a) five and 15 and  (b) 16 and 18-years-old in (i) England, (ii) Hemel Hempstead and (iii) the Dacorum borough council area are providing unpaid care.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 7 November 2006:
	The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question asking how many carers  (a) under the age of 18 years and  (b) between five and 15 years in (i) England, (ii) Kernel Hempstead and (iii) Dacorum borough councils area are providing unpaid care. I am replying in her absence. (100206)
	The table below shows the number of people aged between 0-17 and 5-15 in  (a) England,  (b) Hemel Hempstead parliamentary constituency (PC) and  (c) Dacorum borough council (BC) who on Census day (29 April 2001) were providing unpaid care. Data for Hemel Hempstead PC has been extracted from the 2001 Census database; data for both England and Dacorum borough council have been taken from table S025 in "Census 2001 National Report for England and Wales pt 1" which is available in the House of Commons Library.
	
		
			  All people in households—England 
			   All people providing unpaid care 
			  Area  0-17  5-15 
			 England 139,199 90,431 
			 Hemel Hempstead PC 250 166 
			 Dacorum BC 325 215 
			  Sources: 2001 Census data and table S025 in Census 2001 National Report for England and Wales pt 1

Child Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of uprating child benefit in line with average earnings in each year from 2007-08 to 2012-13; what assessment he has made of the effect that uprating would have on child poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of uprating child benefit in line with average earnings for each year from 2007-08 to 2012-13 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Cost of uprating child benefit in line with average earnings: 2007-08 to 2012-13 
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2007-08 200 
			 2008-09 400 
			 2009-10 600 
			 2010-11 900 
			 2011-12 1,100 
			 2012-13 1,400 
		
	
	The Government do not produce a forecast for average earnings growth to 2012-13, so for this analysis we have assumed earnings growth in line with the estimated trend growth in labour productivity. See "Budget 2006", Table B2. We have further assumed growth of retail prices in line with the projections published in "Budget 2006", Table C3.
	Uprating child benefit by earnings for a period of six years would amount to a cumulative increase of around 12 per cent. compared with uprating by prices. Based on a 60 per cent. contemporary median income threshold, it is estimated that a similar real terms increase implemented today could lower child poverty by between 130,000 and 160,000, depending on the choice of equivalisation scale for household incomes.

Child Care Vouchers

David Mundell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child care vouchers have been issued since their introduction in April 2005, broken down by local authority area.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available. Employers and employees are not required to report the provision of tax-free employer supported child care vouchers provided to employees since the tax and national insurance contributions exemptions were introduced in April 2005.

Child Care Vouchers

David Mundell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which public bodies in Scotland offer their staff salary-sacrifice child care vouchers in accordance with the provisions introduced in the Finance Act 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not available.

Child Trust Funds

Denis Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many child trust fund vouchers have been issued for children born in  (a) the UK and  (b) Wansbeck constituency; and how many have resulted in accounts being opened in each case.

Stephen Timms: The latest set of child trust fund statistics showing UK-wide information was published by HM Revenue and Customs on 29 September at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm. These show that over 75 per cent. of parents are using their child's voucher to open a child trust fund account.
	Child trust fund information at constituency level would currently be available only at disproportionate cost. However, it is anticipated that this information should become available later this year.

Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost was of the supporting research commissioned as part of the Stern Review into the economics of climate change; and what proportion of the total cost of producing the Stern Review that research comprised.

John Healey: The Stern Review spent £62,300 on supporting research. This represents five per cent. of the total £1.26 million Review budget. In addition, other Government Departments contributed £136,300 to research commissioned by the Stern Review.

Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost was of the review on the economics of climate change; how many paper copies of the report were printed; and to which bodies they have been distributed.

John Healey: Sir Nicholas Stern's review of the economics of climate change was an independent review jointly funded by the Treasury and the Cabinet Office. The total budget was £1.26 million. The report was published on the review website at www.sternreview.org.uk

Comprehensive Spending Review

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) dates and  (b) locations were of each event he has held as part of the public debate on the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Stephen Timms: The Chancellor is keen to ensure the Comprehensive Spending Review is fully informed by widespread public engagement on the long-term challenges facing the UK. To analyse these challenges, the Government have undertaken extensive consultation with third sector organizations, services users, frontline professionals, businesses, think-tanks and academics among others. We will be publishing our analysis of the long-term challenges facing the UK later this year, and this will provide the basis for further debate.

Conference Bookings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1943W, on conference bookings, what the total value was of the contracts with Travelocity (formerly First Option) that were cancelled in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: In respect of HM Revenue and Customs' contract with Travelocity for hotels and conference venue bookings, the cost of cancellations of conferences in the 12 month period up to June 2006 was £173,599. The information requested for the preceding two years cannot be easily extracted from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs own records.

Correspondence

David Heath: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letters from Mr. P. B. Waggott of Castle Cary, Somerset, of 25 March, 10 July and 18 August.

John Healey: Officials have replied to Mr. Waggott on 12 May, 14 August and 30 October. I have arranged for copies to be forwarded to the hon. Gentleman and to Mr. Waggott.

Debt Collection

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been recovered by debt collectors in his Departments in each of the last five years for which information is available, broken down by  (a) Department and  (b) the tax the recovery related to; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The amount of tax and duty recovered by the debt recovery arm of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is included in the figures recorded in HMRC's Annual Report 2004-05 and Autumn Performance Report 2005.
	Prior to the merger of Inland Revenue and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the figures were recorded separately in each Department's Annual Report and Accounts.

Debt Collection

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in each of his departments worked on debt collection in each of the last five years for which data are available; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: In April 2005 the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise merged to form Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Debt Management and Banking (DMB) is the arm of HMRC responsible for recovery of debt. In the last five years the DMB joint staffing allocation (in full-time equivalent terms) has been:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001-02 9,204 
			 2002-03 8,934 
			 2003-04 9,319 
			 2004-05 9,726 
			 2005-06 9,321 
		
	
	HMRC has taken on new work over recent years and that has affected the staffing profile while resources have had to be used flexibly to support HMRC's work, but on average about 75 per cent. of the above numbers have been directly involved in debt recovery.

Debt Collection

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of individuals granted debtors' petitions while being actively pursued for debts by each of his departments in each of the last five years for which information is available, broken down by department; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: In the pursuit of debt Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) handle cases where the debtor or another creditor has already filed for bankruptcy. In such cases HMRC lodge their claim like any other creditor but do not keep a separate record of the number of individuals who are granted debtors' petitions.

Debt Collection

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many creditors' petitions for bankruptcy have been granted to his departments in respect of individuals in each of the last five years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of creditor petitions granted to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the last three years is:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2003-04 3,764 
			 2004-05 3,052 
			 2005-06 3,972 
		
	
	HMRC does not have this information for earlier years.

Departmental Staff

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of his Department's staff were  (a) under 20,  (b) 21 to 30,  (c) 31 to 40,  (d) 41 to 50,  (e) 51 to 60 and  (f) over 60 years of age (i) in 1997 and (ii) in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The number of staff in the HM Treasury by age are as follows:
	
		
			  Age  April 1997  April 2006 
			 Under 20 1 15 
			 21-30 289 440 
			 31-40 297 340 
			 41-50 201 241 
			 51-60 107 115 
			 Over 60 18 2

Departmental Staff

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has a volunteering scheme for staff; and how many and what proportion of his staff have participated in the scheme in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The Treasury has a volunteers' group that raises awareness on the benefits of volunteering and encourages employees to volunteer. The group provides employees with access to information on volunteering opportunities such as becoming school governors, trustees of charities or mentors. All employees are allowed one day's paid leave to participate in volunteering.
	The Treasury does not collect information centrally on the number of staff participating in volunteering opportunities because employees who spend time volunteering often do so in their own time.

Departmental Staff

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff there are in each of his Department's ministerial private offices, broken down by staff grade; and how many such staff there were in 1997.

John Healey: In 1997 there were 34 officials in post in ministerial private offices; in 2006 there are 35. A direct grade comparison cannot be made due to changes to the Treasury grading structure.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 15 December 2005,  Official Report, column 2275W, how much his Department spent on taxi travel and courier services in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) each year since 1997.

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on taxis in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The Treasury's spending on taxi and courier services in 2005-06 was £181,000. For the earlier years, I refer to the answers given to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) on 4 July 2005,  Official Report, column 105W, to the hon. Member for Buckingham (John Bercow) on 4 February 2002,  Official Report, column 698W, and to the right hon. Member for Gordon (Malcolm Bruce) on 19 February 1998,  Official Report, column 792W.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on fauna, plants and flowers in his Department in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The Treasury spent £14,000 on the supply and maintenance of plants and flowers in 2005-06. There was no spending on fauna.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on magazines and newspaper subscriptions by his Department in June 2006.

John Healey: The Treasury's expenditure on newspapers and periodicals in June 2006 was £8,000.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department spent on the inter-governmental courier service in the last 12 months.

John Healey: In the financial year 2005-06 the Treasury paid £5,093 (inclusive of VAT) to the Government Car and Despatch Agency for the provision of courier services.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department subsidises its refreshment facilities for staff.

John Healey: Under the agreement negotiated with contractors at the time of the opening of 1 Horse Guards road, the catering facilities in Treasury will be subsidised until 2008-09.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent on  (a) stationery and  (b) other promotional merchandise branded with his Department's name in the last three years.

John Healey: The Treasury's accounting system does not distinguish between branded and non-branded stationery. The Treasury's total spending on stationery in the last three financial years was as follows. The Department's accounting system does record spending on promotional merchandise as a separate category.
	
		
			   £000 
			 2003-04 308 
			 2004-05 264 
			 2005-06 258

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on the delivery of IT projects each year since 2001; and how much of this has been spent on web facing projects.

John Healey: Expenditure on IT projects completed in each year since 2001 was as follows.
	In 2001, £3.087 million. In 2002, £4.748 million on projects including provision of new IT facilities for the new Treasury building. In 2003, £1.1 million. In 2005, £1.117 million. In 2006, £9.637 million including large projects to introduce a new records management system to meet the demands of the Freedom of Information Act and the introduction of COINS, the Government's financial management database. There were no projects completed in 2004. During this period one project was the redevelopment of the Treasury's public website in 2001, which accounted for £250,000.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline.

John Healey: The majority of information technology projects undertaken by or for HM Treasury were completed on time and on budget. Eleven of the 16 projects undertaken since 2001 were completed to budget, with two coming in under budget and only three exceeding their budgets. The increase in the cost of these three projects was due to unforeseen increases in complexity and scope of the projects being undertaken. Ten of the projects were completed to their original deadlines and of the six projects completed after their deadline, three were completed within weeks of their intended deadline, and the extra time taken for one project resulted in cost savings.

Earning Statistics

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was earned on average by the  (a) tenth,  (b) fiftieth,  (c) ninetieth and  (d) ninety-fifth percentile of the working population in current prices in each year since 1992.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 7 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how much was earned on average by the (a) tenth, (b) fiftieth, (c) ninetieth and (d) ninety-fifth percentile of the working population at current prices. I am replying in her absence. (100238)
	Average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for employees on adult rates of pay whose pay was unaffected by absence during the pay period. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	The attached table contains statistics on earnings percentiles from the ASHE for 2006 for all employees and for full time employees.
	The ASHE, earned out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes, but because of its sampling frame, it has difficulty capturing data on people with very low pay. It is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff earning below the tax threshold.
	
		
			  Gross weekly pay for employee jobs( 1) : United Kingdom, 2006 
			  £ 
			   Percentiles 
			   10  50 (Median)  90  95 
			 All employees 110 364 800 1,023 
			 Full-time employees 244 447 886 1,138 
			 (1 )Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected  Guide to Quality: The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality. The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV—for example, for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220. All estimates have a CV of less than 5 per cent.   Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

e-Government

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department took in 2002 to implement the guidance on controls set out by the Office of the E-Envoy in the September 2002 report Registration and Authentication: e-Government Strategy Framework Policy and Guidelines, in respect of the tax credits e-portal; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee by the Acting Chairman of HMRC on 23 October 2006.

Entertainment Industry

Tony Baldry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual turnover of the UK entertainment industry in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what the tax revenue was for that sector for each of those years; what estimate he has made of the effect on future turnover and tax revenue of the Programme Making and Special Events sector of the industry of the potential sale of the 14 UHF TV bands by Ofcom following the digital switchover; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government analyses Corporation tax liabilities in a variety of sectors, but it is not possible to provide data specifically on the entertainment industry, which is included within "Other Services" in the published HMRC statistics.
	It also not possible to estimate either future turnover or tax revenues in the Programme Making and Special Events sectors as a result of any potential sale of parts of the broadcasting spectrum.

Financial Inclusion Fund

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress he has made with the establishment of a growth fund to support third sector lenders as part of the Financial Inclusion Fund.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Growth Fund in October 2005. £34 million of the £36 million fund has now been allocated to 71 organisations (mostly credit unions) that are currently delivering the affordable credit service. We expect to commit the remainder of the fund by November, when agreements are finalised with those organisations that were not ready to start delivery of the service until January 2007. At 30 September, over 1,300 loans with a total value of over £500,000 had already been issued to financially excluded people.

Financial Services Industry

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of large bonus payments to people employed in the financial services industry on  (a) inflationary pressures and  (b) shareholder values.

Stephen Timms: No specific analysis has been undertaken on the implications of financial sector bonuses for either inflationary pressures or shareholder values. A full assessment of recent economic developments and prospects will be published in the forthcoming pre-Budget report.

Firearms

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of firearms illegally imported into the UK in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs has not made any estimate of the number of firearms illegally imported into the UK in each year since 1997.

Firearms

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the merits of introducing a new Public Service Agreement target on tackling the illegal importation of firearms; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs has concluded a public service agreement with objectives and performance targets for delivery by 2007-08. The current public service agreement does include a target for the conclusion and fulfilment of Service Level Agreements for all prohibitions and restrictions. A Service Level Agreement has been concluded for firearms and a process is in place for assessing the extent to which HM Revenue and Customs has fulfilled its responsibilities.

Former Civil Servants (Consultants)

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 267W, on former civil servants (consultants), how many civil servants in his Department have sought advice on the Business Appointment Rules when leaving to join consultancy firms in each of the last two years.

John Healey: The Treasury complies with the Business Appointment Rules and issues guidance on the matter to staff. Comprehensive records are not centrally maintained relating to prospective future employers of staff leaving the Treasury.

Fraud

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the regulations to protect credit card holders from fraud.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 2 November 2006
	I have been asked to reply.
	Section 83 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes clear that a debtor would not generally be liable for the misuse of their credit facility by a third party and I am satisfied that this is an appropriate protection against credit card fraud. In addition, I know this is an issue the industry as a whole takes extremely seriously. In recent times significant anti-fraud initiatives such as chip and PIN and a Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit have been put in place as part of an on-going campaign to tackle payment fraud in all its forms.

Fuel Smuggling

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many vehicles in Northern Ireland were detected illegally running on red diesel in the period between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006;
	(2)  what percentage of fuel smuggling related detections in Northern Ireland made between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006 were made by  (a) the Police Service Northern Ireland and  (b) HM Revenue and Customs;
	(3)  how many vehicles were seized by the authorities in Northern Ireland between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006 as a result of being used for smuggling cross border fuel; what the total amount of fuel seized from these vehicles was; how many arrests were made in such seizures; and how many convictions were secured as a result of these arrests.

John Healey: HMRC work with a number of different agencies to tackle fuel fraud, including the Police Service Northern Ireland, which has led to a 28 per cent. reduction in the non-UK duty paid market in Northern Ireland since the introduction of the Oils Strategy. Details of detections, vehicles seized, fuel seized and prosecutions for 2004-05 can be found in the Annual Report available on the HMRC website. Figures for 2005-06 will be published later this year. All operational data relate to HMRC only and not to any other agencies.

Fuel Smuggling

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of HM Revenue and Customs staff in Northern Ireland are involved in oil-related anti-smuggling work;
	(2)  what percentage of  (a) time and  (b) resources of HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland were allocated to tackling illegal fuel smuggling in the last period for which figures are available.

John Healey: In April 2005 there were 2,500 staff employed by HMRC in Northern Ireland, 159 of whom were working to tackle the illegal fuel trade. This equates to 6 per cent. of total HMRC resource in Northern Ireland and is used to tackle all forms of fuel fraud including smuggling. The staff employed by HMRC are deployed across a wide range of activities including over 20 different taxes and payments, protecting the UK's frontier, and facilitating trade across those frontiers, fighting smuggling, terrorism, fraud and drugs as well as enforcing the national minimum wage and managing student loans.

Guardian's Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the cost of the guardian's allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on 10 October 2006,  Official Report, column 725W.

HM Revenue and Customs

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost was of the HM Revenue and Customs corporate and social responsibility conference of 24 October 2006.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC's Corporate Responsibility Summit of 24 October brought together 100 business leaders from across the public, private and voluntary sectors to discuss what is needed to generate greater cross-sector collaboration and sustainable social change.
	The costs incurred total £7,393.02 for printing, catering, photography and administration charges.

HM Revenue and Customs

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 540W, on HM Revenue and Customs staff, if he will express the data in terms of full-time equivalent staff; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The figures in my earlier answer related to full-time equivalent staff.

HM Revenue and Customs

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 540W, on HM Revenue and Customs staff, if he will list the prohibitions and restrictions contained in the category 'Other P and R's'; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The summary list of HM Revenue and Customs' prohibition and restriction responsibilities contained in the category Other P and R's, from my Answer of 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 540W, on HM Revenue and Customs staff, are:
	Ammonium nitrate
	Animal furs
	Animal pathogens
	Chemicals: prior informed consent and persistent organic pollutants
	Chemical weapons, chemicals and precursors
	Cultural goods
	Dangerous substances
	Endangered species covered by CITES
	Explosives
	Firearms
	Fireworks
	Fruit and vegetable quality controls
	Hops
	Human pathogens
	Indecent and obscene material
	Intellectual property rights
	Kimberley diamonds
	Medicines: trade diversion
	Offensive weapons
	Ozone depleting substances
	Patagonian toothfish and tuna controls
	Plant products including forestry/wood packaging
	Prison made goods
	Products of animal origin (regulatory controls)
	Radioactive materials
	Radio transmitters
	Sanctions and arms embargoes
	Strategic goods
	Trans-frontier shipment of waste
	Unsafe products

HM Revenue and Customs

Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when decisions are expected to be made about the long-term future of the HM Revenue and Customs office in Kendal; who will make those decisions; and what options are being considered.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 6 November 2006
	HM Revenue and Customs is currently reviewing its operational and accommodation requirements. A full consultation process will be undertaken before any final decisions are made.

Home Computer Initiative

David Lepper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made with the Confederation of British Industry in developing a scheme to replace the home computer initiative; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are undertaking specific and targeted fiscal interventions to address its digital inclusion strategy. These interventions include:
	£50 million over the next two years (2006-07 and 2007-08) for schools to invest in home access to ICT for their students;
	a further £10 million (£5 million/£5 million) to provide Internet connectivity to the home access network;
	and in SR2004 period we are spending £25 million on UK online centres. There are now over 6,000 online centres in the UK, over half of which are located in the 2,000 most deprived wards in England. So 95 per cent. of the population live within 5 kilometres of one.
	More broadly, the Government's policies of competition and liberalisation, underpinned by an effective regulatory regime, have led to greater choice and lower prices for consumers and have led to a situation where over 99 per cent. of the UK have access to broadband. The number of broadband connections has doubled in the past two years to over 10 million and is continuing to grow rapidly.

Income Statistics

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the median income in real terms was in  (a) the UK,  (b) England,  (c) Wales,  (d) Scotland and  (e) Northern Ireland for each year since 1992.

Dawn Primarolo: The information on median income of taxpayers in 2005-06 prices for 1996-97 to 2003-04 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			   UK  England  Wales  Scotland  Northern Ireland 
			 1996-97 15,700 15,800 14,000 15,700 14,300 
			 1997-98 16,000 16,100 14,600 16,000 14,400 
			 1998-99 16,100 16,300 14,400 15,600 14,400 
			 1999-2000 16,700 16,800 15,600 16,100 15,000 
			 2000-01 16,600 16,900 14,700 16,100 15,100 
			 2001-02 17,200 17,400 16,000 16,900 15,600 
			 2002-03 17,200 17,400 15,700 16,500 15,500 
			 2003-04 16,900 17,200 15,400 16,400 15,600 
		
	
	Figures are obtained from the Survey of Personal Incomes of which 2003-04 is the latest available.
	Geographical level information is unavailable prior to 1996-97 due to small sample sizes.
	Estimates may be subject to sampling error due to year-on-year sampling variation in the survey. Estimates for later years should be more accurate and subject to less sampling variation, due to the sample size of the survey increasing from around 75,000 in 1996-97 to over 400,000 by 2002-03.
	Similar information including non-taxpayers is unavailable.

Income Statistics

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the real income for  (a) men,  (b) women and  (c) in total was for the (i) lowest, (ii) median and (iii) highest decile in each year since 1992.

Dawn Primarolo: Available information for taxpayers with incomes at the median and lowest and highest deciles is available on HM Revenue and Customs' website in table 3.1 "Percentile points for total income before and after tax, 1990-91 to 2003-04" at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by-year.htm#31.
	Similar information including non-taxpayers is not available.

Income Tax

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people on  (a) half average and  (b) half median income have paid income tax in each of the last 15 years.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the number of taxpayers for the period 1996-97 to 2004-05 with total income at or below half of the mean and median are in the table.
	
		
			   Half of mean income (£)  Taxpayers with total income at or below half of the mean annual income (million)  Half of median income (£)  Taxpayers with total income at or below half of the mean annual income (million) 
			 1996-97 5,810 3.3 4,210 0.8 
			 1997-98 6,110 3.6 4,440 0.9 
			 1998-99 6,580 3.3 4,720 0.6 
			 1999-2000 6,780 3.1 4,970 0.7 
			 2000-01 7,470 4.6 5,280 1.2 
			 2001-02 7,790 4.2 5,570 1.1 
			 2002-03 7,820 4.1 5,790 1.3 
			 2003-04 8,110 4.4 5,980 1.6 
			 2004-05 8,530 4.7 6,280 1.7 
		
	
	These estimates are based on the number of people facing tax liabilities. The 1996-97 to 2003-04 above estimates of taxpayers are based upon the Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI) and the 2004-05 figures are based upon the 2003-04 SPI projected forward to 2004-05 in line with Budget 2006 assumptions. Estimates of half of mean and median income are at individual level and have been derived from the Family Resource Survey.
	Some families have their tax liabilities offset by tax credits. Estimates based on the 2003-04 Family Resource Survey (FRS) show that there were:
	around 3.8 million taxpaying families with income at or below half the mean. Of these, around 0.4 million families were entitled to more tax credits than their income tax liabilities;
	and around 1.4 million taxpaying families with income at or below half the median. Of these, around 0.2 million families were entitled to more tax credits than their income tax liabilities.
	Caution should be exercised in drawing trends from these figures because sample estimates can demonstrate a large variability from year to year and the definitions of income from the two surveys are not necessarily the same.
	Similar information for other years is not available.

Inflation

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for inflation of recent increases in M4 money supply.

Edward Balls: holding answer 2 November 2006
	The Bank of England keeps monetary aggregates under review. The bank's latest assessment of M4 growth was published in the August inflation report.
	A full assessment of recent developments and prospects for inflation will be published in the forthcoming pre-Budget report.

Insurance Premium Tax Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to tackle insurance premium tax fraud.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1908W.

International Finance Facility

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the International Finance Facility to be established; and what form the facility will take.

Stephen Timms: The concept of the International Finance Facility—to bring forward financing for development—is being taken forward first through a pilot scheme: the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm). This is a new multilateral financing mechanism designed to accelerate the availability of funds for health and immunisation programmes in 70 of the poorest countries of the world.
	The first IFFIm bonds were issued on 7 November, and we expect that the IFFIm will begin purchasing vaccines and delivering these to the poorest countries through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) before the end of the year.

Investigation Officers

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many investigation officers employed in  (a) England,  (b) Scotland,  (c) Wales and  (d) Northern Ireland by HM Revenue and Customs work (i) full-time and (ii) part-time or on secondment; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: As of August 2006 the Criminal Investigation Directorate of HM Revenue and Customs employed a total of 1,697 staff. Of these 1,542 are working full-time, 85 part-time and 70 were on secondment outside of Criminal Investigation. In addition 53 were seconded in from outside of Criminal Investigation. This is further broken down as follows.
	England and Wales: 1,401 employed full-time, 80 part-time and 67 on secondment.
	Scotland: 108 employed full-time, three part-time and two on secondment.
	Northern Ireland: 33 employed full-time, two part-time and one on secondment.
	Of the staff seconded into Criminal Investigation 44 are employed in England and Wales and nine in Northern Ireland.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice the Government gives to UK banks on financial transactions with the Islamic Republic of Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The UK Money Laundering Regulations require all financial institutions to operate effective controls and due diligence in order to forestall and prevent money laundering and terrorist finance in their dealings with individuals and institutions in all countries—including Iran.
	Comprehensive guidance, developed by industry and approved by the Treasury, is provided to all financial institutions that sets out the key safeguards necessary to meet these requirements. The guidance explicitly endorses a risk-based approach by firms that recognises that the threat of financial abuse varies across customers, jurisdictions, products and delivery channels.
	This guidance is augmented by liaison between the financial sector, law enforcement bodies, and financial supervisors in order to ensure that anti-money laundering and counter terrorist finance efforts continue to target changing financial vulnerabilities.

Lyons Review

Louise Ellman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs in his Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for relocation of staff under this programme.

John Healey: As part of the 2004 Spending Review all Departments agreed a target for relocating posts out of London and the South East by 2010. The Treasury Group committed to relocating 26.5 posts out of London (to Liverpool and Norwich) by 2007-08.
	Departments are required to report to Parliament on progress against the Lyons Review relocation targets twice yearly. The latest published position is available in HM Treasury's 2006 departmental report which reported that the Treasury Group was on track to meet this commitment. This information will be updated in the 2006 HM Treasury autumn performance report.

Minimum Wage

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees in  (a) his Department and  (b) its (i) agencies and (ii) non-departmental public bodies were affected by the rise in the minimum wage on 1 October.

John Healey: 70 staff of HM Revenue and Customs were affected but there is no record of staff in the other Departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies responsible to the Chancellor being affected.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

John Healey: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Ministerial Visits

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what occasions in the past three years he has visited a military establishment on official business.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Gerald Howarth) on 13 January 2005,  Official Report, column 595W.

Ministerial Visits

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who has visited No. 11 Downing street for events funded from the public purse since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

National Insurance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department plans to maintain the national insurance dispensation on centrally administered holiday pay schemes for the construction and allied trades.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC continually monitors and reviews the operation of all exemptions from the payment of national insurance contributions to ensure that the legislation is meeting its intended objectives and that the original policy rationale is still relevant.

National School of Government

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on training days at the National School of Government in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The Treasury spent £400,000 on training days with the National School of Government in 2005-06.

Official Visits

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times he has visited Dorneywood since 1997 in an official capacity but not as a guest of the Deputy Prime Minister.

John Healey: Apart from meetings as a guest of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Chancellor has visited Dorneywood once to meet the staff in charge.

Parliamentary Questions

Tom Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average cost was to his Department of answering parliamentary questions in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The former Financial Secretary my right hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) confirmed in a written ministerial statement on 22 March 2005,  Official Report, column 47WS, that with effect from 1 April 2005 the average cost of answering written and oral parliamentary questions was £134 and £369, respectively. I expect to be in a position early in the new parliamentary session to announce revised cost figures.
	Treasury Ministers have answered some 6,800 written questions in the 2005-06 session at a cost of approximately £910,000 (assuming an average cost of £134).

Pensioners (Hemel Hempstead)

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners living in Hemel Hempstead constituency who pay income tax.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on individuals paying income tax in the Hemel Hempstead constituency is published on the HM Revenue and Customs website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/3_15_apr06.pdf in Table 3.15 "Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency 2003-04".
	The information is based on the 2003-04 Survey of Personal Incomes and is the latest available.
	The number of taxpaying individuals in Hemel Hempstead with pension income is 11,000. There may be a number of individuals with pension income who are not pensioners.
	Sample sizes at constituency levels are small and estimates can demonstrate a large variability from year to year, therefore any inference from the information in the tables should take into account the confidence intervals provided in Table 3.15a "Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency 2003-04—Confidence Intervals" http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/3_15a_apr06.pdf. Further information on confidence intervals can be found on HM Revenue website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/inc-distribution-note.pdf.

Productivity

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the productivity of the UK workforce was in each year since 1992.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 7 November 2006:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the productivity of the UK workforce was in each year since 1992. I am replying in her absence. (100237)
	The usual measure is the seasonally adjusted whole economy output per worker index. The currently available series of index numbers is referenced on 2003 = 100. The table below gives annual figures for 1992 to 2005 inclusive and quarterly figures for the two quarters of 2006 that are available.
	In calculating output per worker, the measure of output used is the short-term output measure Gross Value Added (GVA) at basic prices. The measure used for number of workers is Labour Force Survey (LFS) workers.
	
		
			  Whole economy output per worker, 1992-2006 
			   Output per worker ( 1) 
			 1992 80.7 
			 1993 83.5 
			 1994 86.2 
			 1995 87.3 
			 1996 88.8 
			 1997 89.9 
			 1998 92.1 
			 1999 93.6 
			 2000 96.1 
			 2001 97.3 
			 2002 98.3 
			 2003 100.0 
			 2004 102.2 
			 2005 103.3 
			  2006  
			 Quarter 1 104.3 
			 Quarter 2 105.0 
			 (1 )Seasonally adjusted (2003 = 100)

Public Debt

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of public debt is as a percentage of gross domestic product for the UK; and what assessment he has made of the UK's performance in this regard in comparison with other G7 countries.

John Healey: Public sector net debt is estimated in Budget 2006 as 36.4 per cent. of GDP for 2005-06, and projected to be 37.5 per cent. in 2006-07. Public sector net debt is projected to be low and stable through to the end of the medium term, stabilising at 38.4 per cent. of GDP. As Budget 2006 shows, the UK public finances compare favourably with other G7 countries.
	Comparative figures on net debt and net borrowing for the G7 countries was set out in chart 2.3 on page 24 of the Budget report.

Public Expenditure

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what ways the St. Andrew's Agreement funding package for Northern Ireland announced on 1 November 2006 differs from announcements previously made by Ministers about future public expenditure in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The details of the St. Andrew's Agreement funding package announced on 1 November are set out in the Treasury press notice at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2006/press_82_06.cfm.

Public Expenditure

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the funding package for Northern Ireland set out on 1 November 2006 includes the expected revenue from  (a) regional rates,  (b) local domestic rates and  (c) water charges; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The spending in the announcement on 1 November in respect of the period 2007-08 to 2010-11 represents Departmental Expenditure Limit spending, which excludes self-financed Annually Managed Expenditure such as rate-funded expenditure, and revenue from water charges to be received by the new water company.

Public Sector Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the Whole of Government Accounts 2006-07; what information on public sector pensions they will include; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The 2005 pre-Budget report reaffirmed the Government's intention to publish the first Balance Sheet information for the year ending 31 March 2007 once the methodological issues raised by the development work have been addressed. Further detail on developing accruals accounting for public sector bodies was discussed in "Delivering the Benefits of Accruals Accounting for the Whole Public Sector", which was published alongside the 2005 pre-Budget report.
	Whole of Government Accounts will include the public sector pensions disclosures required by UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Public Sector Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of public sector pensions in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2014-15 and  (c) 2024-25 in (i) cash terms and (ii) real terms in 2003-04 prices.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave him on 26 October,  Official Report, columns 2019-20W.

Renewable Energy

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he took of representations from the energy industry on his policy to place in the Consolidated Fund the surplus arising from the auction of Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation; if he will make it his policy to use such surplus to provide support for emerging renewable energy technologies; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: holding answer 30 October 2006
	Funds in the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Fund have been transferred into the Consolidated Fund in the light of legal advice that the funds are hereditary revenues, and so are required by law to be paid into the Consolidated Fund. Support for renewable technologies is currently provided through the Renewables Obligation which, along with exemption from the climate change levy, will be worth around £1 billion of support per year to the renewables industry by 2010.

Reverse Charge Procedure

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in implementing the reverse charge procedure as outlined in the March 2006 Budget.

Dawn Primarolo: A proposal has been produced and it has been discussed in Council Working Group. Negotiations are continuing and we are therefore not in a position to comment any further at this time.

School Meals (Wales)

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was allocated to Wales as a result of the additional funding made available at the time of the 2006 Budget to improve the quality of school meals.

Stephen Timms: None. Funding to improve the quality of school meals in England announced in May 2006 has been financed within the 2004 Spending Review settlement for the Department for Education and Skills, on which settlement the Welsh Assembly Government received consequential funding in 2004. Funding for the Welsh Assembly Government for the period of the Comprehensive Spending Review will be announced next year. It is for the WAG to decide how to allocate its budget.

Science

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to appoint Sir Christopher Evans to any further reviews on science-related matters for which his Department has responsibility.

John Healey: Any reviews will be announced in the normal way.

Ship Searches

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many ships were searched by HM Revenue and Customs in Northern Ireland ports in each of the last three years.

John Healey: HMRC deploys resources according to risk and a number of modes of transport are searched as part of the UK Oils Strategy. Revealing specific information regarding geographical deployment could undermine the Department's efforts to prevent and detect smuggling and to apprehend and prosecute of those who set out to evade the controls.

Social Investment Taskforce

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were used to appoint the chairman of the Social Investment Taskforce.

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria were used to appoint the chairman of the Social Investment Taskforce.

John Healey: The Social Investment Taskforce was created in 2000 to review the role of community financing and venture capital in the creation of enterprise in our disadvantaged areas.
	Every member of the taskforce, including the chairman, was chosen for their expertise and all were unpaid, both for the preparation of the taskforce's report and its successful promotion.

Social Mobility

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effects of taxation on social mobility in British society since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: Since 1997 the Government have reformed the taxation and benefits system to ensure that work pays, improving incentives to move into work and to progress in work. This should encourage people to take opportunities for upward social mobility.
	Since 1997 the number of families facing marginal deduction rates from taxation and withdrawal of tax credits and benefit of over 70 per cent. has fallen by half a million, and there are over 2 million more people in employment.

Special Advisers

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether special advisers in his Department have a role in whether requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 are accepted or rejected.

John Healey: The Treasury has established guidance on arrangements for clearance and approval of freedom of information requests under the Freedom of Information Act. There is no role for special advisers within this process.

Staff Costs

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on staff  (a) bonuses and  (b) overtime in his Department in each year since 1997.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid has been; what the largest single payment was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The figures for the Treasury are set out in the table. Bonuses are paid in two circumstances: performance bonuses are those linked to the annual staff appraisal system; special bonuses are those paid to recognise specific contributions or pieces of work during the year. The two types of bonus were not recorded separately in 2002-03 so an aggregated figure is given for that year. Information for the financial years before 2002-03 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost because of a change of accounting system in that year.
	
		
			   Performance bonuses (£000)  Special bonuses (£000)  Largest single bonus payment (£)  Percentage of work force receiving bonuses  Overtime (£000) 
			 2002-03 — 627 6,000 43 1,119 
			 2003-04 612 92 10,000 54 1,050 
			 2004-05 846 126 14,000 45 1,023 
			 2005-06 846 121 17,500 41 657

Stamp Duty

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revenue has come from stamp duty on property in  (a) Gravesham constituency and  (b) Kent in each of the last five financial years; and what projections he has made for the next three financial years.

Stephen Timms: Estimates of amounts of stamp duty payable on property transactions in 2005-06 for each local authority in the United Kingdom were deposited in the House of Commons Library in response to a parliamentary written question from the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on 26 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 94-95W.
	Information on the amounts of stamp duty payable from property sales for each parliamentary constituency for 2005-06 will be available on the HMRC website within the next few months.
	Projections of the amount of stamp duty expected in the future are not available below the United Kingdom level.

Tax Credits

Michael Moore: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit overpayments were remitted between  (a) 1 September 2005 to 1 September 2006 and  (b) 1 September 2004 to 31 August 2005; what the total value of such remittances was in each period; and what criteria were used in each period in determining eligibility for a remittance.

Dawn Primarolo: For the number of tax credits overpayments remitted on the ground of official error, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) on 10 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 730-31W.
	For the value of tax credits overpayments written off on the ground of official error between June 2004 and March 2006, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 14 July 2006,  Official Report, column 2116W.
	The value of overpayments written off on the ground of official error from March 2006 to August 2006 was:
	
		
			  £000 
			   Value of disputed overpayments written off on ground of official error 
			 March 2006 l,659 
			 April 2006 111 
			 May 2006 1,368 
			 June 2006 928 
			 July 2006 986 
			 August 2006 853 
		
	
	The value of overpayments remitted on the ground of hardship is compiled annually to the end of October and shown in the table:
	
		
			  £000 
			  Year to end of October  Amount remitted 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 287 
			  Note: Details for the year to end of October 2006 are not yet available. 
		
	
	This information gives working tax credit (WTC) and child tax credit (CTC) remittance. Figures given on 4 July 2006,  Official Report, column 998W, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) and on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 301W, in answer to a similar question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) provided figures for WTC only.
	For details of the criteria applied by HMRC in deciding whether an overpayment should be written off, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 299W.

Tax Credits

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether non-resident parents are liable for repayment of child tax credit overpayments by HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: Liability for overpayments is set out in Section 28(4) of the Tax Credits Act 2002. HMRC's approach to handling overpayments is set out in their Code of Practice 26, "What happens if we have paid you too much tax credit?"

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the average cost of administration for each  (a) tax credit payment and  (b) child benefit payment; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The estimated cost of the payments in 2005-06, the latest period for which details are available, is: tax credits £2.78/payment; child benefit £0.74/payment.
	The variation in cost is a reflection of the frequency of contact between the Department and its tax credit and child benefit customers being significantly different. Tax credits are responsive to a household's changing circumstances and require annual renewal, whereas once entitlement to child benefit has been established no further contact is normally needed until a child leaves school.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the recommendations made by the parliamentary ombudsman's report "Tax Credits: Putting things Right" have been  (a) implemented,  (b) accepted but not implemented and  (c) rejected; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC have responded positively to the recommendations set out in the ombudsman's report. In respect of recommendation 10, current policy is for overpayments to be written off where there was a mistake by HMRC and it was not reasonable for the claimant to have spotted the error. The Government believe this strikes the right balance between being fair to those claimants who have been paid the incorrect amount and being fair to the taxpayer in general.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many technical difficulties within the tax credits system are affecting tax credit awards for 2006-07; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many tax credit claims are being adversely affected by IT problems within his Department's responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave him on 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2004W, and on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2028W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many tax credit pre-payment checks have been made in each year since 2003-04;
	(2)  in how many cases of false or fraudulent tax credit claims HM Revenue and Customs intervened in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06 and  (d) 2006-07 (from 1 April 2006 to 30 September 2006).

Dawn Primarolo: Information on tax credit compliance interventions for 2006-07 will be available at the end of the year. Information on compliance interventions for earlier years can be found in the Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Reports on HMRC's Accounts.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax credit verification checks are in operation.

Dawn Primarolo: Each claim for tax credits is subject to a wide range of checks. It would be inappropriate to disclose a complete list of verification checks relating to tax credits as to do so may provide assistance to those attempting to defraud the system.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many potential tax credit fraud cases have been identified by HM Revenue and Customs' pre-payment checks for each week from 27 March 2005 to October 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to HM Revenue and Customs 2005-06 Accounts: The Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report, available at http://www.nao.org.uk/.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) membership and  (b) purpose is of the HM Revenue and Customs Organised Tax Credit Fraud Strategy Board; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The HM Revenue and Customs Organised Fraud Strategy Board is a governance body with membership drawn from relevant directorates to oversee compliance and criminal investigations.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions for systematic tax credit fraud were completed between June and October; how many convictions resulted; and what confiscation orders were put in place.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested.

Tax Credits

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people claimed  (a) working tax credit and  (b) child tax credit in Chorley in 2005-06.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Sarah McCarthy-Fry) on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 2028-29W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of childcare tax credit claims checked by HM Revenue and Customs compliance staff in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05 and  (c) 2005-06 were incorrect due to fraud or error; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the publication "Tackling error and fraud in the Child and Working Tax Credits" available on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/news/index.htm.

Tax Credits

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated cost is of the increase in the tax credits income disregard from £2,500 to £25,000 in each financial year between 2006-07 and 2010-11; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 1 November 2006
	The increase in the tax credits income disregard is part of a package of measures announced in the 2005 Pre-Budget Report. The Government have always been more confident about the overall cost of the PBR package which is based on the total level of overpayments. The estimates were based on data from the first year of the system and provisional information from the second year.
	The Exchequer effect of the changes to the tax credit system depends crucially on the source of overpayments. At that stage there was only limited information available on the sources of overpayments as HMRC only had complete data on 2003-04 overpayments, which were not representative of the system in steady state. This difficulty in accessing good quality data in the past made costing the individual elements of the package difficult.
	However following publication of the 2004-05 overpayment statistics in May 2006, HMRC now has two years of overpayment statistics to inform this costing. And crucially, unlike in 2003-04, awards in 2004-05 were based on the previous year's income making them much more representative of future years awards. In addition the first stage of the finalisation process for 2005-06 was completed in August 2006, adding to this body of knowledge. This additional information has not led the Government to change the costing of the disregard—or the package as a whole—however it has allowed it to feel more confident in the costing of the individual elements of the package.
	There are still some uncertainties surrounding the costing. In particular it remains the case that while the overall cost of the package is not affected by the order with which the changes are modelled, these interactions mean that the costs of the individual elements of the package are affected by the assumed order.
	Subject to these uncertainties, the costing of the £25,000 disregard over the period 2006-07 to 2010-11 is provided as follows:
	
		
			  Exchequer effect (£ million) 
			   Income disregard of £25,000 
			 2006-07 -50 
			 2007-08 -100 
			 2008-09 -150 
			 2009-10 -250 
			 2000-11 -300 
		
	
	One needs to carefully distinguish between the change in claimants' entitlement from the change in the disregard and the cost to the Exchequer. The cost of the disregard is not the change in entitlement, but the forgone recovery of overpayments. The basic principle is that when money is paid out to tax credit claimants, it scores as a cost to the Exchequer. On the other hand, when any overpaid tax credits are recovered, there is a yield. The higher disregard does not necessarily affect the amount of money paid out to claimants in any one year. But by reducing the amount of overpayments, the higher disregard will mean there is less money to be recovered in future years. Hence the profile of costs shown above.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the tax credit treatment of couples in comparison with that of lone parents.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax credits scheme enables the Government to meet the objectives of supporting families, making work pay and tackling child poverty. All aspects of the tax credits scheme are kept under review to achieve these aims.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any evidence that HM Revenue and Customs staff have been involved in tax credit fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has robust procedures in place to identify abuse of the tax credits system, and all other types of fraud. Prosecutions will be pursued against the very small number of HMRC's 98,000 staff who abuse their position of trust. Since 2003, there have been 12 cases of tax credit fraud involving HMRC employees.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has further to simplify tax credit award notices.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC has taken a number of steps to ensure its communications are more claimant friendly and forms are easier to complete. This has included revising the tax credits award notice from April 2006 to give the claimant more information about entitlement, overpayments and recovery arrangements and improving the guidance note sent to claimants with their award notices.
	Going forward, the finalisation/renewal notice claimants receive at the end of the year will include a "playback" of the information held by HMRC about their income and circumstances for the previous year. Building on these important steps, HMRC will continue to monitor the claimant experience and review the form based on feedback from claimants and those who represent them.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce a statutory test for the recovery of tax credit overpayments with a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 298W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answers of 25 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1950W and 29 November 2005,  Official Report, column 341W, on tax credit overpayments, whether the April 2003 tax credit easement was due to  (a) an error by HM Revenue and Customs and  (b) an operational decision taken by HM Revenue and Customs; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The decision was taken as part of the operational responsibilities of HMRC.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tax credit applications by migrant workers were  (a) received,  (b) approved,  (c) rejected and  (d) terminated in each quarter since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

Denis Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests have been received from  (a) families and  (b) individuals in (i) the UK and (ii) Wansbeck constituency for the transcripts of their telephone conversations with staff at tax credit offices in the last 12 months; and what percentage of those requests have been refused.

Dawn Primarolo: Individuals can make subject access requests for recordings of calls made to the tax credits helpline, the Tax Credit Office's director's hotline and the MP hotline and those requests are dealt with in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
	Between 1 October 2005 and 30 September 2006 HM Revenue and Customs received around 2,600 subject access requests for recordings of such calls from individuals in the UK. Information at constituency level is not available.

Tax Credits

Denis Murphy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of families in  (a) the UK and  (b) Wansbeck constituency in receipt of working tax credit have disputed alleged overpayments with HM Revenue and Customs.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not available in the format requested.

Tax Credits

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the letter of 15 June 2006 from the hon. Member for Denton and Redditch, when he expects HM Revenue and Customs to pay back the outstanding £709.88 owed to Mrs. Julie Bowers, a constituent of the hon. Member, in respect of her tax credit case.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs is statutorily debarred from disclosing information relating to the tax credits affairs of individuals. I have asked the Tax Credit Office to write to my hon. Friend about his constituent's case.

Tax Credits

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of tax credit overpayments in 2004-05; how many such overpayments have been accepted as the fault of HM Revenue and Customs; and how many such overpayments will be written off.

Dawn Primarolo: For published information on the number of tax credits overpayments in 2004-05, I refer the hon. Member to
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm.
	Information is not available on how many 2004-05 overpayments were due to official error or how many of those will be written off.

Tax Credits

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of recipients of tax credits whose household income was  (a) up to £10,000,  (b) between £10,000 and £20,000,  (c) between £20,001 and £30,000,  (d) between £30,001 and £40,000,  (e) between £40,001 and £50,000  (f) between £50,001 and £60,000 and  (g) more than £60,000 in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: The latest available average number of in-work benefiting families in each band of income is given in Table 2.9 in "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised annual awards 2004-05." This publication can be found on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm
	There were on average around 3,000 benefiting families in 2004-05 with household income of more than £60,000.

Tax Incentives

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned into the merits of tax incentives designed to encourage the use of public transport.

John Healey: The Chancellor keeps all taxation under review. The Government's future transport priorities will be determined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Tax Incentives

Robert Wilson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has  (a) conducted and  (b) commissioned into the effectiveness of offering tax incentives to individuals and companies who adopt environmentally friendly means of electricity generation.

John Healey: The Chancellor keeps all taxes under review, and takes a wide range of advice on environment and transport taxation issues. The Treasury considers the effectiveness of all tax incentives as part of the Budget process, while recognising their role within a wider range of instruments.

Tax Revenue

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised by  (a) inheritance tax and  (b) capital gains tax in (i) 2005-06, (ii) 1997-98 and (iii) 1979-80; and what each figure represents as a percentage of total tax paid in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: Historic receipts figures for individual taxes are published by HMRC and can be found in Tables 1.2 at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_receipts/menu.htm.
	Total receipts data from 1999-2000 are published in table C4 of the Public Finances Databank, which can be found at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/finance_spending_statistics/pubsec_finance.
	The series in the databank which most closely reflects "total tax paid" is "Net taxes and National Insurance Contributions".

Treasury Staff

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Treasury employees have  (a) resigned and  (b) been dismissed in the last 12 months; and how many of those who (i) resigned and (ii) were dismissed now work in other Departments.

John Healey: 105 staff left the Department and three were dismissed. Information relating to their subsequent employment is not available.

Union of Democratic Mineworkers

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the  (a) Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) and  (b) UDM (Nottingham section) have been registered for VAT in each year since 1999.

Dawn Primarolo: Section 18 of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 does not permit HM Revenue and Customs to disclose information relating to the tax affairs of individual taxpayers.

University Spin-off Companies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of university spin-off companies that have been formed since he announced the removal of tax barriers to the formation of such companies on 2 December 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: No estimates have been made of the number of university spin-off or spinout companies formed since the changes made by the Finance Act 2005.
	The Higher Education Funding Council for England conducts annual surveys of higher education-business and community interaction. The reports on the surveys provide information on research activity in higher education institutions and these are produced on their website at www.hefce.ac.uk. In addition, the University and Companies Association (UNICO) also conducts and publishes annual surveys on university commercialisation activities. More details are available through the UNICO website at www.unico.org.uk.

VAT

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance was issued to those affected by the legislation in relation to trade unions on schedule 9 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 before May 2002.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 6 November 2006
	Guidance on the scope of the VAT exemption for subscriptions to trade unions can be found in HM Revenue and Customs Notice 701/5, "Clubs and Associations", published in March 2002. It is available from HMRC's National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 or via their website at www.hmrc.gov.uk. Previously, guidance was similarly available in VAT Notice 701/33, "Trade unions, professional bodies and learned societies", published in August 1997.

VAT

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to charge VAT on MOTs.

Dawn Primarolo: All taxes are kept under review and any changes are announced as part of the normal Budget process.

VAT

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to tackle VAT avoidance by retailers marketing entertainment products through Channel Island websites; and what discussions he has had with retailers on their use of such websites to avoid paying VAT.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government are keeping this issue under close review. We have asked the states of Jersey and Guernsey to take measures to curb the activities of companies who have set up in business in the Channel Islands to service the fulfilment industry. If we judge that these measures are not effective, we have made it clear the UK Government may have to take action to reform the provisions which enable low value goods from the Channel Islands to be imported VAT free. My officials and those of HM Revenue and Customs have met a range of retailers to receive representations on this issue.

VAT

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evidence he has received of major retailers avoiding VAT by marketing  (a) health food and  (b) contact lenses via websites based in the Channel Islands.

Dawn Primarolo: The largest volume of products imported free of VAT from the Channel Islands are CDs and DVDs as well as the traditional products of cut flowers and plants. There is a much smaller proportion of health food products and contact lenses. The majority of internet purchases are imported via Royal Mail where there is no requirement to capture or retain details of individual consignments. There is consequently no reliable information about which firms are engaged in marketing these products.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many civil VAT fraud cases were adopted for investigation in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the total value is of fines which were imposed for VAT missing trader intra-community fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the average sentence was for those convicted of VAT missing trader intra-community fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the value was of VAT involved in criminal VAT fraud cases  (a) reported and  (b) prosecuted in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  how many people were sentenced for VAT missing trader intra-community fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  how many prosecutions were completed for VAT missing trader intra-community fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(7)  how many VAT fraud cases were reported for criminal prosecution in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(8)  how many penalties were imposed following civil VAT fraud investigations in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(9)  how many criminal VAT fraud cases resulted in a conviction in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(10)  how many reported VAT missing trader intra-community fraud cases there were in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Prior to the creation of HMRC, HM Customs and Excise published the information requested in relation to fraud cases reported for civil investigation and criminal prosecution, and subsequent convictions each year, in their Annual Report. Copies of the Annual Reports are available in the Library of the House. Since the creation of HMRC, these statistics have not been published. Where information is not published, it is not collated in the format requested.
	The Government remain determined to tackle MTIC VAT fraud, and the criminals perpetrating it, and a comprehensive strategy involving both operational and legislative measures has been developed. HMRC has committed significant additional resources to strengthen its strategy for tackling MTIC fraud, and there are now over 1,400 staff engaged in that work.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 1455-456W, which details the measures.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many missing trader intra-Community registrations were  (a) identified and  (b) cancelled in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many pre-registration visits were carried out as part of the missing trader strategy in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many VAT missing trader intra-community suspect registrations were refused in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested in relation to VAT Registrations and pre-registration visits each year by HMRC is published in the Departmental Annual Report. Prior to the creation of HMRC the information was published in the Annual Report of HM Customs and Excise. Copies of the Annual Reports are available in the Library of the House.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the value was of VAT subject to injunctions relating to missing trader fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the value was of VAT missing trader intra-community fraud assets recovered in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the value was of VAT missing trader intra-community fraud assessments in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the value was of VAT missing trader intra-community fraud repayments disallowed to exporters in carousel fraud supply chains in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Prior to the creation of HMRC, HM Customs and Excise published information requested in relation to VAT missing trader intra-community fraud each year in their Annual Report. Copies of the Annual Reports are available in the Library of the House. Since the creation of HMRC, these statistics have not been published. Where information is not published, it is not collated in the format requested.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of VAT missing trader intra-community fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Annual estimates of the level of MTIC fraud from 2000-01 to 2004-05 were published alongside PBR 2005 in "Measuring Indirect Tax Losses—2005", which is available from the House of Commons Library or from the following website: www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2005/mitl2005.pdf.
	The first estimates of attempted MTIC fraud were made for 1999-2000, and can be found in "Measuring and Tackling Indirect Tax Losses—2004", which is also available from the House of Commons Library.
	The estimate for 2005-06 will be published at PBR 2006.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average value was of the VAT defrauded in civil VAT fraud cases in each year since 1997; what the total value of the VAT defrauded was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Prior to the creation of HMRC, HM Customs and Excise published the average value of VAT defrauded in civil VAT fraud cases each year in their annual report. Copies of the annual reports are available in the Library of the House. Since the creation of HMRC, these statistics have not been published. Where information is not published, it is not collated in the format requested.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been withheld in VAT repayments to companies in each year since 1997; how much in each year was withheld due to suspected missing trader intra-community VAT fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC does not hold the historic data necessary to answer this question and would incur disproportionate costs in producing such data.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 304W.

VAT Fraud

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions there were in respect of missing trader intra-community VAT fraud in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Prior to the creation of HMRC, HM Customs and Excise published information requested in relation to VAT missing trader intra-community fraud each year in their annual report. Copies of the annual reports are available in the Library of the House. Since the creation of HMRC, these statistics have not been published. Where information is not published, it is not collated in the format requested.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Ian Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make available the £5 refunds for drivers of vehicles with low capacity engines who purchased Vehicle Excise duty in April 2006.

John Healey: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) administers the collection of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
	No specific refund provisions were made available following the changes that were made to Vehicle Excise Duty Rates in Budget 2006.
	The VED rate for lower capacity engine cars registered before 1 March 2001 was frozen in Budget 2006. Therefore, these drivers would have paid the same VED rate before and after Budget 2006.

Vehicle Tax

Mark Francois: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cars have been taxed since his 2006 Budget at  (a) the zero rate of duty,  (b) the £40 rate of duty and  (c) the £100 rate of duty.

John Healey: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) administers the collection of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
	In respect of the zero rate of duty (Band A graduated VED), I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford on 31 October,  Official Report, columns 317-18W.
	In respect of the £40 (Band B) and £100 (Band C) rates for petrol cars, it is not possible to extract the number of licence renewals since they were introduced on 23 March this year. The table shows the number of vehicles licensed in those bands, as at June 2006.
	
		
			  Band  Graduated VED bands CO 2  emissions (g/km)  Number of licensed vehicles 
			 B 101-120 326,738 
			 C 121-150 3,670,676

Westfield (Ministerial Meetings)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings  (a) he and  (b) his departmental Ministers have had with representatives of Westfield in the last 24 months.

John Healey: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with and receive representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings and representations.

TRANSPORT

Blue Badges

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to propose new regulations on the eligibility for blue disabled badges in respect of  (a) individuals aged under the age of two years and  (b) people disabled for less than three years; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Following a review of the Blue Badge Scheme, The Department for Transport has accepted recommendations made by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), the Department's statutory advisers on the transport needs of disabled people, that the Scheme should be extended to:
	(a) children under two whose medical needs require the transport of bulky medical equipment; and
	(b) those with temporary mobility impairments which severely affect their walking ability and are likely to do so for at least 12 months.
	We intend to consult on draft regulations later this year.

CIA Aircraft

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the CIA Gulfstream jet registration N379P has used  (a) UK airspace and  (b) UK airports since 1 May 1997; what the purpose was of each flight; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: A flight plan must be filed with Eurocontrol for all flights operating into European controlled airspace that cross international borders. My right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South-West (Mr. Darling) and the Secretary of State agreed that Eurocontrol should release data earlier this year to Dick Marty, chair of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee of the Council of Europe, in order to contribute to the inquiry into rendition undertaken by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
	The UK asked for a copy of our relevant data which was then published on the Department's website in April and June this year at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/611515.hcsp and http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/611817.hcsp respectively. The Eurocontrol data show that flight plans for aircraft registration N379P were filed for operations into the UK on approximately 80 occasions between 2001 and 2003.
	The information we hold on these flights does not include details of passengers or purpose of flight, as this information is not routinely collected.
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend the former Foreign Secretary's written ministerial statement of 20 January 2006,  Official Report, columns 37-38WS, and written answer of 6 February 2006,  Official Report, columns 784-85W.

Concorde

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has had discussions with British Airways about maintaining a flightworthy Concorde for use on special occasions.

Gillian Merron: No. Issues concerning Concorde remain a matter for British Airways and Airbus, in which the Government have no locus to intervene.

Crossrail

Mike Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made of the potential economic impact of Crossrail on the economy.

Tom Harris: The Government have estimated that Crossrail would add approximately £20 billion to UK GDP. However, we are aware that different estimates for the GDP impact of Crossrail have been produced and we are keeping the area under review accordingly.

Departmental Dress Code

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's policy is on the display of religious  (a) artefacts,  (b) symbols and  (c) dress by its staff; how many staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings regarding this policy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Two of the Department for Transport's Executive agencies have specific policies on the display of religious  (a) artefacts,  (b) symbols and  (c) dress by its staff.
	The DVLA religious and belief policy is concerned with permitting and facilitating the free practice of religion by agency staff. This permits the wearing of cultural or religious dress.
	The Highways Agency policy applies to those staff who are required to wear a uniform. This states that the wearing of religious artefacts, dress etc is permitted provided that a full uniform is worn; the items are discreet; and that the items do not conflict with any health and safety obligations.
	Neither of the agencies has carried out any disciplinary proceedings regarding their policies in the last five years.

Departmental Spending

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent per capita on public transport in  (a) the North East region and  (b) Hartlepool constituency in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The per capita figures for each year shown combine payments to local authorities under the Department's bus grant schemes (Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, Rural and Urban Bus and Kickstart) and the Department's funding for capital expenditure on local transport:
	
		
			  £ per capita 
			   North East  Hartlepool 
			 2001-02 7.28 7.40 
			 2002-03 14.57 10.39 
			 2003-04 12.67 5.35 
			 2004-05 11.73 12.11 
			 2005-06 14.32 4.57 
		
	
	In addition, the Department pays Bus Service Operators Grant direct to operators of local bus services; this expenditure is not ascribed to geographical area.
	Local authorities also subsidise non-commercial bus services and concessionary fares on local transport from their own resources, including principally Revenue Support Grant from Central Government.

Departmental Spending

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the central Government approved per capita investment in transport has been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by region.

Gillian Merron: Investment in transport is a matter for local authorities and does not generally require central Government approval, although for some schemes authorities may seek specific additional grant, for example under Section 56 of the Transport Act 1968 or Section 87 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. In some cases an investment proposal may also require powers which are subject to approval by the Secretary of State.
	Available information on local authority per capita spend on services is published as part of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis and can be found at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/377/3B/cm6811_08_Chap_7.pdf.

Departmental Staff

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many employees in  (a) his Department and  (b) its (i) agencies and (ii) non-departmental public bodies were affected by the rise in the minimum wage on 1 October.

Gillian Merron: The rise in the national minimum wage on 1 October did not affect any of the Department's employees.

Fuel Efficiency

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has given to haulage companies on  (a) reduction of fuel consumption and  (b) increase in energy efficiency.

Stephen Ladyman: Freight Best Practice (FBP) guides, case studies and software are produced and distributed on a range of topics to English operators. Over the last year 82,000 visitors to the website downloaded 92,000 publications. Some 124,000 publications and 150,000 copies of the six monthly newsletter have been distributed. Operators involved in the FBP achieved fuel savings of over 6 per cent.
	Under our Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) programme 6,375 truck drivers have been trained and a further 7,500 van drivers and 5,500 truck drivers in the aggregates sector are now benefiting. To achieve long term embedding we are training up to 800 instructors to deliver SAFED training commercially.
	The Department funds industry experts to provide 'Site Specific Advice' for fleet managers. Potential fuel savings of over 10 per cent. have been previously identified for 600 fleets and a further 400 fleets in the aggregate sector are now receiving similar assistance, with funding from DEFRA.

Light Bulbs

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of light bulbs purchased by his Department in 2005 were of the compact fluorescent type.

Gillian Merron: In many cases fluorescent type bulbs are incompatible with existing fittings and purchase is not directly controlled or recorded.
	However, in the Department's main London HQ building and where permitted by the existing fittings 35-40 per cent. of this type of bulb have been installed. For the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency the figure is 98 per cent. and at the Vehicle and Certification Agency 100 per cent. of purchases in the last financial year were of this type.
	For other parts of the Department the information is not held centrally and the information would be available only at disproportionate cost.

London Borough of Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which projects in the London borough of Bexley are under consideration by his Department.

Gillian Merron: The Department is promoting the Crossrail hybrid Bill and one of the main Crossrail termini is located at Abbey Wood, on the border between the boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich. The Bill is currently going through Parliament in order to obtain the authority to build Crossrail, and is currently at the Select Committee stage.
	Other transport projects concerning Bexley are matters for the Mayor and Transport for London.

M62

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans his Department has for introducing toll charging on the M62 motorway.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government have no plans to introduce charging on the M62. In line with their manifesto commitment, the Government are exploring the scope for developing a national system of road pricing. We are also working with local authorities as they develop local schemes which will tackle an existing or emerging congestion problem.

Mini Motos

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with  (a) the British Motorcyclists Federation and  (b) the Motorcycle Industry Association on mini moto regulation; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department, the British Motorcyclist Federation (BMF) and the Motorcycling Industry Association (MCIA) all field representatives to all the sub-groups of the National Motorcycle Council. This body (and its sub-groups) meet regularly to look at all aspects of motorcycling.
	In addition, last July I met representatives of the MCIA to discuss mini-moto issues and in October I received a briefing note and report from MCIA about the role of motor projects and road user education in helping to tackle public concerns about mini-moto use. I shall be replying shortly.

Mini Motos

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people under the age of 17 years have been fined for driving mini-motorcycles.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not available.
	The only offences identified by the statistical collections on the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform that are specific to motor cycles are "failing to wear a crash helmet" and "unlawful pillion riding". All other offences committed by motorcyclists cannot be identified from the data held centrally either because the offence as defined in legislation is not specific to any type of motor vehicle (e.g. driving on a footpath, or vehicle not taxed or insured against third party risks) or because it is not identified separately and is grouped together with other miscellaneous motoring offences.

Motoring Offences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have had their driving licence endorsed for  (a) driving while disqualified by order of court,  (b) attempting to drive while disqualified by order of court,  (c) driving without reasonable consideration for other road users,  (d) using a vehicle with defective brakes and  (e) using a vehicle with defective tyres in each of the last 10 years.

Vernon Coaker: I have been asked to reply.
	Available data given in the table show the number of endorsements imposed at all courts and as a result of fixed penalty notices, by offence, within England and Wales from 1997 to 2004 (latest available).
	2005 data will be available early in 2007.
	
		
			  Endorsements by order of the court and as a result of a Fixed Penalty Notice by type of offence, England and Wales, 1997 to 2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Type of endorsement/Type of offence  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  Endorsements without disqualification imposed at all courts 
			 Driving while disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence(1) 24,303 23,100 25,800 24,700 24,200 25,100 27,500 24,200 
			 Careless driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other road users(2) 50,503 46,800 42,100 36,800 32,000 28,600 26,600 24,600 
			 Total vehicles or parts in dangerous or defective condition(3) 44,003 41,600 36,700 29,100 22,800 20,100 18,300 17,100 
			  Of which: 
			 Brakes defective(4) 3,100 2,800 2,100 1,900 1,400 1,200 1,100 900 
			 Tyres defective(5) 32,100 30,000 26,600 20,800 16,100 14,400 13,000 12,200 
			  
			  Endorsements as a result of a Fixed Penalty Notice 
			 Driving while disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence(1) (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— 
			 Careless driving without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for other road users(2) (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— (6)— 
			 Total vehicles or parts in dangerous or defective condition(3) 14,703 15,000 11,200 8,000 6,700 5,600 6,200 7,000 
			  Of which: 
			 Brakes defective(4) (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— 
			 Tyres defective(5) (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— (7)— 
			 (1) Offence under s103(1) Road Traffic Act 1988 (RTA88). Includes attempting (see s103(3) RTA88). (2) Offences under s3 RTA88. (3) Includes offences of brakes defective, steering defective, tyres defective and using vehicle in dangerous condition etc. (4) Offences under Regs 16 and 18 and Sch 3 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (RV(C&U)Regs86); s41A RTA88 as added by s8 Road Traffic Act 1991 (RTA91). (5) Offences under Regs 25-27 RV(C&U)Regs86; s41A RTA88 as added by s8 RTA91. (6) Not applicable. (7) Not available.  Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary monitoring offences, may be less than complete. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Motorways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated construction cost is of the  (a) M25 and  (b) M1 widening Design Build Finance and Operate contracts; what the expected total cost of each contract is to public funds; and by what year all such costs are expected to have been paid in each case.

Stephen Ladyman: On current assumptions of scope, design, operation and inflation, both widening schemes have an approximate capital estimate of £2 billion, but this is subject to change as the full details of the schemes are finalised.
	The overall M25 DBFO contract value is estimated at £5 billion. This will be spread over the 30-year contract life with completion expected in 2039.
	The procurement strategy for the M1 widening between junctions 21 and 30 is currently under review but the working assumption is that it will now be procured as a series of early contractor involvement contracts. The project will be delivered in two parts with completion expected in 2014.

Nuclear Materials

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has held since July with Direct Rail Services on security arrangements for the transport of  (a) irradiated spent nuclear fuel and  (b) other nuclear materials.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The security arrangements for the transport of civil nuclear material are kept under regular review by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS). This involves regular discussion with carriers of nuclear material concerning all aspects of compliance with the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (NISR). DTI officials have therefore had many discussions with Direct Rail Services since July, as would be expected. It is not Government policy to disclose details of these discussions.

Olympic Games

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected cost is of the Javelin rail service which will serve the Olympics.

Gillian Merron: As set out in the London 2012 Candidature File, the planned cost of the Olympic Javelin Shuttle service is approximately £9 million.

PFI Projects

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department on private finance initiative projects postponed pending further consideration, or stopped, in the last 12 months.

Gillian Merron: The Department for Transport has not stopped or postponed any private finance initiative projects in the last 12 months.

Railways

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes were made to the new Cross Country Railway Franchise proposals following the consultation procedure that closed on 7 August.

Tom Harris: The specific changes are set out in the New Cross Country franchise Stakeholder Briefing Document published on 31 October 2006. This is available on the DfT website as follows:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/divisionhomepage/611786.hcsp.

Railways

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra train services he expects between Birmingham New Street and Scotland as a result of the transfer of responsibility for that route from the Cross Country Franchise to the West Coast Franchise.

Tom Harris: There will be the same number of services operating between Birmingham New Street and Scotland, although the deployment of a standard tilting fleet, together with the West Coast Route Modernisation programme, will allow journey times to be improved from December 2008.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train service was the most overcrowded in each of the last five years.

Tom Harris: The Department has access to data covering Passengers in Excess of Capacity (PIXC), which applies to weekday commuter trains arriving in London between 07:00 and 09:59 and those departing London between 16:00 and 18:59.
	The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) publishes PIXC figures in its National Rail Trends publication; the version covering 2005 was published on 5 July 2006.
	The document is on the internet at the following address, http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/294.pdf, and has been made available in the Library of the House.
	Data for the previous four years have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	The PIXC measure does not apply to rail and metro services within Passenger Transport Authorities in the UK and such information cannot be provided, due to the disproportionate cost in resource required to extract this in the format requested.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the 10 most overcrowded train services were in each of the last six months.

Tom Harris: The Department has access to data covering Passengers in Excess of Capacity (PIXC), which applies to weekday commuter trains arriving in London between 07:00 and 09:59 and those departing London between 16:00 and 18:59. PIXC counts are carried out once a year, on a typical weekday during the autumn (when there are maximum loadings).
	The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) publishes PIXC figures in its National Rail Trends publication, the most recent version of which was published on 5 July 2006.
	The document is on the internet at the following address, http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/294.pdf, and has been made available in the Library of the House.

Recycling

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage the use of reused and recycled materials in capital procurement projects for which his Department is responsible.

Gillian Merron: The Department's procurement procedures are consistent with the Office of Government Commerce and DEFRA Joint Note on Environmental Issues in Purchasing and with EU Procurement legislation. This means that only where it is relevant to the subject matter of the contract may environmental aspects be incorporated. A blanket approach to using reused and recycled materials is therefore not permissible but guidance is made available to all staff to enable them to consider such issues at the outset and incorporate them where it is appropriate and relevant to do so.
	The Department includes a clause in its standard conditions of contract that requires contractors to comply with the Department's environmental policy, part of which is to "conserve energy, water and other resources and reduce waste".
	Examples of where the Department has utilised reused and recycled materials include:
	Trunk road construction and maintenance by the Highways Agency;
	The extension of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch building at Farnborough;
	The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's (VOSA) Estates Modernisation programme;
	All new vehicles purchased by the Government Car and Despatch Agency; and
	The Channel Tunnel Rail Link construction project (being delivered through Development Agreements between the Secretary of State for Transport and London and Continental Railways and London Underground).

Road Safety

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) children and  (b) pedestrians were (i) killed and (ii) seriously injured on roads in Barnet in each year since 1990.

Stephen Ladyman: Following are the reported casualty figures for the London borough of Barnet from 1990 to 2005 (inclusive), the latest date for which information is available.
	
		
			  (a) Child casualties aged 0 to 15 inclusive 
			   Fatal  Serious  Total 
			 1990 1 45 46 
			 1991 1 41 42 
			 1992 1 46 47 
			 1993 1 32 33 
			 1994 0 27 27 
			 1995 0 35 35 
			 1996 0 37 37 
			 1997 0 25 25 
			 1998 0 31 31 
			 1999 0 32 32 
			 2000 0 33 33 
			 2001 1 27 28 
			 2002 0 25 25 
			 2003 0 25 25 
			 2004 2 22 24 
			 2005 2 20 22 
			 Total 9 503 512 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) All pedestrian casualties 
			   Fatal  Serious  Total 
			 1990 11 119 130 
			 1991 8 85 93 
			 1992 8 77 85 
			 1993 6 90 96 
			 1994 2 60 62 
			 1995 4 77 81 
			 1996 3 75 78 
			 1997 6 56 62 
			 1998 5 64 69 
			 1999 6 62 68 
			 2000 6 64 70 
			 2001 4 62 66 
			 2002 5 59 64 
			 2003 12 50 62 
			 2004 5 50 55 
			 2005 7 42 49 
			 Total 98 1,092 1,190

School Bus Services

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations local education authorities are required to conduct before withdrawing a school bus service; how those consultations are conducted; and with whom they are conducted.

Gillian Merron: The Education Act 1996 places a duty on local education authorities (LEAs) to make arrangements for transport where it is necessary to ensure a child's attendance at school. LEAs have wide discretion in deciding whether transport is necessary, but case law requires them to provide free home to school transport for pupils of compulsory school age who are attending their nearest suitable school, provided that the school is beyond 'statutory walking distance'. In addition, many LEAs use their discretionary powers to provide transport to school in circumstances where they are under no legal obligation to do so. The law requires LEAs to publish their transport policies covering support provided under their statutory duties and discretionary powers.
	Where LEAs make arrangements using their discretionary powers, they are free to consult on and change those policies. While there is no legislation governing the conduct of such consultations, good practice suggests that consultations should involve all interested parties, with consultations taking place during term time. Guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills states that good practice suggests that any changes should be brought in at the end of the school year, and that they should be phased in as pupils change or leave schools.
	The position is however different if a school bus service is a local service receiving a subsidy from the local transport authority. The Transport Act 1985 requires local transport authorities, when considering policies on subsidised bus services, to consult other authorities who may be affected by those policies and bus operators in their area. There are no specific requirements as to how they should do this.
	In developing their bus strategies and accessibility strategies, local authorities also need to consider the passenger transport needs in their areas, and consultation with various stakeholders can play a part in this.

Special Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost of provision of Government cars to special advisers has been in the last 12 months.

Stephen Ladyman: No special advisers are provided with an allocated Government car and driver. As with all civil servants, special advisers may use an official car or taxi in certain circumstances. Information on such use is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Thameslink

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the bid contracts for the former Thameslink route.

Tom Harris: The Franchise Agreement (contract) for the First Capital Connect franchise (incorporating the former Thameslink route) is available on application to the Public Register Manager at Zone 3/28 Department for Transport, Great Minister House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. The department does not publish details of bids relating to any franchise.

Traffic Congestion

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of levels of road traffic congestion in the Bristol area.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department's assessment of congestion in Bristol can be found in Annex A of the Department's Public Service Agreement 4:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/downloadable/dft_about_612098.pdf

Transport Innovation Fund

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any existing or planned projects or workstreams will be terminated in order to reallocate funds to the Transport Innovation Fund.

Gillian Merron: There are no plans to do so.

Transport Innovation Fund

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1538W, on the Transport Innovation Fund, whether Transport Innovation Fund awards are dependent on proposals for road-user charging.

Stephen Ladyman: The Transport Innovation Fund has two entry points: "congestion TIF" and "productivity TIF".
	The aim of productivity TIF is to support the funding of regional, inter-regional and local schemes that are beneficial to national productivity. We are in the process of considering business cases for first round allocations of productivity TIF. Road-user charging is not one of the current criteria.
	With the congestion TIF, we are seeking bids for effective demand management proposals as part of wider packages of interventions to tackle congestion at a local level. Guidance published in January 2006 (http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_611056.hcsp) makes it clear that authorities are not required to include road pricing as the demand management element of their proposals, but we are more likely to fund those packages that do.

Travel Concessions

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  on what basis he allocated funding to cover the cost of free off-peak travel for the elderly and disabled to each local authority in each year since the start of the scheme;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the uptake of free off-peak travel for the elderly and disabled in 2005-06;
	(3)  what the expenditure was by local authorities on free off-peak travel for the elderly and disabled in each year since its introduction; and what estimate he has made of the costs of extending the scheme in 2007.

Gillian Merron: From April this year, older and disabled people have been guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel within their local authority area. Work on assessing uptake is in progress. Funding is provided via Formula Grant and is unhypothecated; therefore it is not separately identified for each local authority. Expenditure by local authorities on the statutory element of their local concessionary fare schemes entitlement is not held centrally.
	From April 2008 people aged 60 or older and disabled people will be entitled to free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in the country. Up to an additional £250 million per year has been earmarked for the national entitlement.

Trust Ports

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of directors of trust ports have served  (a) two terms of office and  (b) more than two terms of office.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department holds information only for the 27 appointments made by the Secretary of State. Of these, four appointees have served two terms of office and 13 have served more than two terms.

Trust Ports

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the status is of the document Modernising Trust Ports; what mechanisms are in place  (a) to encourage and  (b) to require compliance; and what assessment he has made of the trust ports' implementation of the recommendations in the document to date.

Stephen Ladyman: "Modernising Trust Ports—A Guide to Good Governance" is intended to advise trust ports on the general standards of conduct and accountability that the Government expects of them. Subsequent to publication we continue to advise on the steps ports can take to comply with them. There is no statutory obligation upon the ports in question to comply but the majority have either taken or are taking legislative means to do so by way of Harbour Revision Orders and other administrative changes.

Trust Ports

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the corporate governance of trust ports.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department sought comments on issues surrounding the governance of trust ports as part of a general consultation on ports policy published in May. A range of responses including from trust ports themselves, other ports, local authorities and individuals were received and are now being assessed. A summary of the responses will be published on our website shortly.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agency Staff

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on agency staff in each of the last five years; and what the budget is for agency staff in 2007-08.

Barry Gardiner: The Department came into being in July 2001. Information held centrally on how much the core-Department spent on agency staff in each of the last five years will be placed in the House of Commons Library by 10 November 2006. The budget for agency staff in 2007-08 is not yet determined.

Agency Staff

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on agency staff at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in each year since 2001; and what the budget is for agency staff at the RPA in 2007-08.

Barry Gardiner: The cost of agency staff since the RPA was established in October 2001 is as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2001-02 5.8 
			 2002-03 3.9 
			 2003-04 4.8 
			 2004-05 4.5 
			 2005-06 21.0 
		
	
	The forecast agency costs for 2006-07 are £25.5 million. Budget values for the 2007-08 period are currently being calculated. Confirmation from Ministers of the 2007-08 budget is not expected to be received until the new year.
	The detail supporting each of the above years can be found in the RPA's annual report and accounts under House of Commons publication numbers HC 1197, HC 940, HC 1009, HC 82 and HC 1612 respectively.

Agency Staff

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff was in each year since 2001, broken down by agency.

Barry Gardiner: The Department came into being in July 2001. Information is not held centrally on the average hourly rate the Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 2001, broken down by agency. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Agricultural Accommodation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the minimum agricultural wage is for qualification for an agricultural occupancy dwelling.

Barry Gardiner: There is no direct link between the agricultural minimum wage and qualification for an agricultural occupancy dwelling. Further information on the agricultural minimum wage can be found on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/agwages/index.htm
	An assured agricultural occupancy arises under the Housing Act 1988 and applies where the occupant of a dwelling meets the agricultural worker condition. This includes serving farm workers who have been employed in agriculture full time (that is, 35 or more hours of work per week) for 91 out of the past 104 weeks. It also includes retired or former agricultural workers provided they have completed the 91 week qualifying period and the widow or widower of a qualifying agricultural worker. More information is available in the booklet 'Agricultural Lettings' published by the Department for Communities and Local Government, which can be found on the DCLG website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1501308.

Auction Marts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations he has received on the functioning of auction marts; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The Department has received no recent representations on this matter.

British Waterways

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whom he has consulted about the changes to British Waterways' budget since January 2006; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what changes he has made to the 2006-07 budget for British Waterways since January 2006; why the budget was changed; when the decision to change British Waterways' budget was made; what discussions he has had with British Waterways on changes to their 2006-07 budget; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with  (a) British Waterways on their budget for the next five years and  (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on British Waterways' budget for (i) 2006-07 and (ii) the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The Government have consulted closely with the Chairman and chief executive of British Waterways (BW) on the financial pressures facing the Department and what these mean for its sponsored bodies. The Secretary of State and I met recently with the chief executive of BW to listen to his concerns. A further meeting between the Chairman, chief executive and myself is planned for later this month. This will look further at the implications for the adjustments in subsidy and how BW can continue to contribute towards Government and DEFRA priorities.
	In order to accommodate budgetary pressures, all areas of the Department's spend have been subject to rigorous scrutiny as part of a budget review. The review was comprehensive in nature and has ensured that DEFRA's funding for the current year is placed where it can have the greatest impact. As a matter of good financial management, DEFRA keeps its budgets and spending under regular review and challenge and adjusts them as new pressures and demands arise. The overall budget for the Department remains unchanged and will be subject to the normal Parliamentary approval and scrutiny.
	Grant allocation for 2006-07 for BW was originally confirmed as £59.429 million and they were notified of this in April 2006. However, the July in-year review of budgets brought a further cut of approximately 7 per cent. Final grant allocation for 2006/07 will therefore be £55.497 million. Allocations for 2007-08 will be issued shortly, following further engagement between the Secretary of State and the Chairs of our key delivery partners, including BW.
	The taxpayer would not expect DEFRA to consult Her Majesty's Treasury (HMT) every time there were financial pressures. We seek to manage the pressures that inevitably arise from time to time from within the annual budget voted by Parliament.
	Allocations beyond 2008 to 2011 are dependent on the outcome of the current comprehensive spending review (CSR) which is scheduled to conclude by summer of 2007. Consultation will take place with HMT as dictated by the CSR timetable. However, officials are in discussion with BW about the potential for a long-term contract within the context of the CSR period.

British Waterways

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the reduction in British Waterways' budget on  (a) British Waterways' operations and effectiveness,  (b) British canals,  (c) the environment and  (d) regeneration; and what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues about the likely effect of the budget reduction on the economy.

Barry Gardiner: The Government are working with British Waterways (BW) to minimise the impact of the current restructuring. They have been involved with over £10 billion of waterside regeneration and have already created public private partnerships that will deliver in excess of £200 million over time. BW has also facilitated the restoration and re-opening of 200 miles of derelict canals.
	As a matter of good financial management, DEFRA keeps its budgets and spending under regular review and challenge, and adjusts them as new pressures and demands arise. Further funding pressures can be foreseen for the next financial year and DEFRA will be reviewing the 2007-08 budgetary position with its agencies and non-departmental public bodies over the autumn as part of a DEFRA-wide review of spending plans.
	There have been no specific discussions on the issue the hon. Member raises. However, I have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues on a wide range of issues including funding pressures facing DEFRA.

Carbon Committee

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria will be used in making appointments to the proposed carbon committee; what funding will be provided for the committee; and what measures will be put in place to ensure transparency in its operation.

Ian Pearson: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said in his statement to the House on 30 October concerning the Stern Review, at  Official Report, column 28, the details of the carbon committee will be set out when the climate change Bill is published in due course. The Government want to ensure the widest possible debate in the House and across the country about the contents of the Bill.

Carbon Emissions

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the annual carbon emissions of each region of the UK, broken down by source of emissions.

Ian Pearson: Estimates of annual carbon emissions from each country in the UK, broken down by source, for 2003, are available in "Greenhouse gas inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for 1990-2003" available at:
	http://www.naei.org.uk/reports.php.
	Experimental statistics for carbon emissions at local authority level in the UK for 2003 are available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/galocalghg.htm.
	Estimates for 2004 for both sets of statistics will be published shortly.

Climate Change

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to encourage innovation in new technologies  (a) for domestic appliances and  (b) in the construction industry to combat climate change.

Ian Pearson: The Government are fully committed to raising product standards and encouraging consumers to use the most energy efficient domestic appliances. Progress is being made by a combination of policy measures including product information (energy labels), minimum standards, and the promotion of best practice. The Market Transformation Programme (MTP), which supports the development and implementation of UK Government policy on sustainable products, is in the process of applying detailed policy action plans for each sector. They will set out an innovation roadmap by which the Government and industry can work together to deliver more sustainable products. Further information on the MTP's work on domestic appliances is available at: www.mtprog.com.
	In June, Defra hosted the 2006 Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting Conference (EEDAL 06) to advance international co-operation and new initiatives on energy efficient domestic appliances. Further details on the EEDAL 06 can be found at: http://www.livegroup.co.uk/EEDAL.
	A major revision of the Building Regulations in April 2006 raised overall energy efficiency standards and changed the method of showing compliance to align with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. This new approach and associated calculation tools encourage the use of low carbon technologies such as solar panels and wind generators. However, because Building Regulations are written in terms of functional requirements, individual technologies are not specified.
	The Building Regulations set minimum standards for new construction but the Government are encouraging builders to do more. The Code for Sustainable Homes will set standards for new developments above those currently prescribed by the Building Regulations. The code will not be mandatory across all housing sectors, although all new publicly-funded development will need to meet code level 3. In order to further promote on-site energy generation, new homes that use renewable technology will gain extra points in the code.
	We are also reviewing the planning rules with a view to reducing the restrictions for small scale renewable systems. The Government also fund a grant scheme, run by the Energy Savings Trust, to encourage the voluntary take-up of renewable energy. This will provide industry with manufacturing, supply and installation experience, increase public awareness and drive down the market cost of renewables.
	Since 2001, the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) has funded a number of research projects under both its former Partners in Innovation Construction Research Programme, and more latterly under the DTI Technology Programme, aiming to assist the construction sector in its transition to the use of technologies to minimise the impact of climate change on buildings.

Consultants

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department paid to external consultants in each year since 1997; and what the budget is for external consultants in 2007-08.

Barry Gardiner: The Department came into being in July 2001. Information held centrally on how much the core-Department spent on external consultants in each of the last five years will be placed in the House of Commons Library by 10 November 2006. The budget for external consultants in 2007-08 is yet to be determined.

Consultants

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average hourly rate paid by his Department to external consultants was in each year since 1997, broken down by agency.

Barry Gardiner: The Department came into being in July 2001. Information is not held centrally on the average hourly rate paid to external consultants in each year since 1997, broken down by agency. The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Correspondence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will answer the letter dated 31st May from the hon. Member for North Down in relation to a future visit to Northern Ireland.

Barry Gardiner: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the hon. Member on 5 November 2006.

Dairy Products

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what legislation the milk and dairy products industry has been regulated since 1997; what estimate he has made of the number of breaches of such regulations in each year since 1997, broken down by  (a) region and  (b) legislative instrument; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	I have assumed that the references to regulations relate to the food hygiene legislation applicable to milk and dairy products establishments. Beyond hygiene, milk and dairy products are, as with other foods, required to be compliant with general food law and legislation including labelling, contaminants, additives and composition. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved administrations.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that between 1997 and 31 December 2005 the hygiene legislation under which milk and dairy products establishments were regulated in England was the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (as amended) and the Milk and Dairies (General) Regulations 1959 (as amended). On 1 January 2006, new and directly applicable EC food hygiene legislation came into effect which superseded this legislation (Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004).
	The Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate (DHI) is part of the State Veterinary Service (an executive agency of DEFRA) and acts on behalf of the agency in administering and enforcing the hygiene legislation at registered milk production holdings prior to processing such as pasteurisation, bottling or the manufacture of dairy products. Local authorities enforce the regulations in establishments undertaking activities in relation to milk beyond the remit of the DHI and the remainder of the dairy industry.
	The Agency has obtained information from the DHI relating to inspections of registered milk production holdings carried out in England during the period requested, which is set out in the table. I am advised that information is not collected in such a way that allows it to be presented by region.
	 Inspections carried out by the Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate in England, 1996-97 to 2005-06.
	
		
			   Number of inspections  Dairy hygiene inspectorate costs  Number of final notices of intention to cancel registration issued 
			 1996-97 11,948 955,413 73 
			 1997-98 12,198 1,128,188 51 
			 1998-99 10,002 940,188 60 
			 1999-2000 10,048 900,332 63 
			 2000-01(1) 8,812 828,328 120 
			 2001-02(1) 4,214 339,570 80 
			 2002-03 13,472 1,293,312 164 
			 2003-04 13,543 1,299,072 170 
			 2004-05 13,324 1,330,972 178 
			 2005-06 13,119 1,338,138 142 
			 (1) 2000-01 and 2001-02 figures are reduced due to the suspension of inspections during the foot and mouth outbreak.  Source:  Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate 
		
	
	Given the remit of the DHI, the final notices to which reference is made in the table will have been issued due to breaches of the hygiene legislation. The agency was advised that the DHI does not collect other information on breaches centrally.
	Information on local authority food law enforcement, including breaches resulting in formal enforcement action, is collected by the agency under monitoring arrangements to satisfy European requirements. However, this does not provide the level of detail required for information on milk and dairy products nor does the agency collect information on the costs of these activities.
	There are currently approximately 1,100 approved dairy products establishments in England which are required to be inspected in accordance with the statutory Food Law Code of Practice at a minimum frequency of six months.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of his Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

Barry Gardiner: This response refers to core-DEFRA only, which is covered by the provisions of the e-nabling DEFRA contract, a contract that saw DEFRA's IT capability outsourced to IBM.
	The data in the Department's databases both belong to, and is operated by the Department. In the main the databases are hosted on IBM-owned hardware.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which databases operated by his Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

Barry Gardiner: All of core-DEFRA's databases are hosted within the UK with none of the data going offshore.

Departmental Travel

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many journeys by air were made by  (a) Ministers and  (b) special advisers in his Department within the UK in each of the last three years; and how much such travel cost in each category in each year.

Barry Gardiner: Details of journeys by air made by Ministers and special advisers are set out as follows:
	2004—eight journeys were made by Ministers at a total cost of £3,014; no journeys by special advisers;
	2005—12 journeys were made by Ministers at a total cost of £2,448. Three journeys by special advisers at a cost of £675; and
	2006—three journeys were made by Ministers at a total cost of £585.

Endangered Species

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect endangered black rhinos.

Barry Gardiner: The main threats facing rhinoceroses are loss of habitat and illegal poaching for their horn which is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. To address the threat to the species from international, commercial trade, the black rhino has been listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1977. The UK has consequently banned all trade in rhinoceros products.
	In addition, through the Darwin Initiative, DEFRA has funded a recently-completed project in Kenya to develop a team of researchers and field personnel whose aim is to increase the numbers of black rhinos in the wild (£175,000). We have also funded recent research into plant alternatives to traditional Chinese medicine ingredients like rhinoceros horn and tiger bone (£67,500). This year we have also contributed £30,000 to the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group to facilitate collaboration in rhinoceros conservation and trade issues including the fight against illegal trade.

Endangered Species

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to protect the endangered Ethiopian wolf.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA has provided funding through the Darwin Initiative to projects in Ethiopia that specifically help protect native species of plants and animals, although to date none of these have been on the native Ethiopian wolf.

English Coastline

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the Natural England partnership has reported to his Department on the outcomes of the project to look at the options to improve the way people can gain access to and enjoy the English coastline; when his Department expects to begin a public consultation based on this report; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: Natural England has been asked to come forward with its recommendations on improving access to the English coast before the end of December 2006. I expect the public consultation to be issued in early 2007.

Environment Agency

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what changes he has made to the Environment Agency's 2006-07 budget allocations since January; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the effects of the changes to the Environment Agency's 2006-07 budget will be on projects and financial commitments; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on changes to their 2006-07 performance targets.

Ian Pearson: Following completion of the Spending Review in 2004, the Environment Agency (EA) was given a provisional budget for DEFRA funding of £575 million for 2006-07 (including Flood Defence, Fisheries and Environment Protection). After the budget setting exercise the total 2006-07 DEFRA funding to the EA was confirmed, at the beginning of the financial year, as £571 million. A budget reduction of £23.7 million has been applied in-year.
	Managing the budget changes to minimise their impacts is a matter for the EA Board. After consideration, the EA has decided to reduce and delay a range of projects across its business areas.
	The EA is currently considering the impacts of the budgetary decisions on the 2006-07 performance targets as established in their corporate plan.

Flood Defences/Flooding

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans he has to protect the North Norfolk coast from flooding.

Ian Pearson: Since 2003, the Environment Agency (EA) have spent over £200 million on flood risk management in East Anglia.
	Communities in East Anglia which have benefited from recent Government investment include Hunstanton, Ely Southwold, Kings Lynn and Norwich.
	Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) will be reviewed and published before the end of 2008. They will provide long-term, sustainable policies for the coastline.

Flood Defences/Flooding

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of people defined as at high risk of flooding under the Environment Agency's definitions in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of the trend in this figure.

Ian Pearson: The Environment Agency (EA) first produced an indicative floodplain map for the whole of England and Wales in 1999. This indicated that about 1.8 million properties were at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea. The EA has continued to improve its maps, and in October 2004 published a new Flood Map on the internet, which included the flood zones defined in the Department for Communities and Local Government's land use planning policy. Planning Policy Guidance Note 25 defines the "high risk" flood zone as having an annual probability of flooding of 1.0 per cent. (or 1 in 100 in any one year) or greater for river flooding, and 0.5 per cent. (or 1 in 200 for any one year) or greater for tidal and coastal flooding.
	There are estimated to be about 1.83 million properties across England and Wales within this definition of a "high risk" flood zone, which equates to approximately 3.5 million people. This figure has not changed significantly over the last 10 years; changes in the figure arise from improvements in the EA's flood mapping and changes in the land use in these areas.

Flood Defences/Flooding

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total value was of flood risk management schemes started in England in each year since 2002-03; and what equivalent figure is forecast for  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Ian Pearson: The Environment Agency (EA) is the principal operating authority with responsibility for flood risk in England, and is primarily funded through DEFRA grant in aid.
	For information on the amount of DEFRA funding to the EA for flood risk management from 2002-03 to 2005-06 I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 200W.

Greenwich Mean Time

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on carbon dioxide emissions of putting the clocks  (a) back and  (b) forward.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 6 November 2006
	Work undertaken by the Building Research Establishment for the Department indicates that putting clocks in the UK back one hour (to match Central European time) would lead to a net increase in carbon dioxide emissions from lighting, space heating and cooling energy consumption in UK buildings corresponding to around 1 per cent. of total UK emissions of carbon dioxide. The study also shows that a switch to British summertime all the year round would increase emissions by just under 0.5 per cent.

Ministerial Blog

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the monthly administrative costs of his blog; and what the budget for the blog is for 2007-08.

Barry Gardiner: It is estimated that around 10 hours of staff time per month is spent administering the Secretary of State's blog, the cost of which is estimated at £300. In addition, technical support costs around £900 per year. It is expected it will cost a similar amount to administer the blog in 2007-08.

Ministerial Blog

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff hours each month on average are taken up administering his blog, broken down by  (a) grade and  (b) office or directorate of his Department in which the staff work.

Barry Gardiner: On average, around 10 staff hours are taken up administering the Secretary of State's blog each month. This involves staff at Grade 7, Senior Information Officers and Higher Executive Officers, all based in the Communications Directorate.

Ministerial Blog

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many unique visitors there were to his blog in each month since May.

Barry Gardiner: Between 5 May and 3 November 2006 there were over 90,000 direct hits on the Secretary of State's blog. It is not possible to provide figures on unique visitors.

Ministerial Blog

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people have visited his blog only once.

Barry Gardiner: It is not possible to provide figures for the number of people who have visited the Secretary of State's blog only once.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

Ian Pearson: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases certified emissions reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.
	In addition, offsetting the flights of DEFRA, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence and the Prime Minister has been backdated to 1 April 2005.
	Carbon dioxide emissions arising from 32 (Royal) Squadron flights are included in the Government's carbon offsetting commitment. Carbon emissions arising from the use of these flights will be recorded and offset in the same way as the use of scheduled flights.
	In addition to offsetting the CO2 attributable to air travel, DEFRA is planning to offset departmental road and rail travel by June 2007.

Ministerial Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions he has visited  (a) Scotland,  (b) Wales and  (c) Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

Barry Gardiner: Since October of 2005, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not visited Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. A visit to Wales has been arranged for 10 November this year and a visit to Scotland is being planned for early next year. The Secretary of State visited Northern Ireland in February of this year while a Minister in the then Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (James Duddridge) of 31 October 2006,  Official Report, column 275, on the Office of Climate Change, why the Office of Climate Change's reports are not expected to be published.

Ian Pearson: The Office of Climate Change's reports will support Ministers as they develop future UK strategy and policy on domestic and international climate change. The ministerial board who govern the Office will keep Parliament informed of progress.

Rapeseed

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what varieties of genetically-modified rapeseed are licensed for use in the UK.

Ian Pearson: Licensing decisions on the commercial use of genetically modified (GM) products are taken at EU level. A type of GM oilseed rape known as GT73 received a favourable authorisation decision in August 2005 for import and processing within the EU, although not cultivation. This was under the procedures covered by Directive 2001/18 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms.
	In addition, other EU consents have in the past been issued for the use of GM oilseed rape under the regulations governing the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in to the environment. However, in these instances the varieties of GM oilseed rape in question are no longer being marketed in the EU.
	Vegetable oil and other materials derived from certain lines of GM oilseed rape are authorised for use in food and animal feed, under regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on GM food and feed.

Recycling

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the environmental impact of transporting waste for recycling; what guidelines are issued on preferred maximum distances for such transportation; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: No specific assessment has been made. However, a report from the DEFRA-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme states that recycling in the UK saves 10 to 15 million tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. This is equivalent to taking 3.5 million cars off the road.
	In July 2005, DEFRA published the document, 'Changes to Waste Management Decision Making Principles in Waste Strategy 2000', which put forward a number of principles on which waste decision making should be based:
	(i) Individuals communities and organisations should take responsibility for their waste;
	(ii) In taking decisions there should be consideration of alternative options in a systematic way;
	(iii) Effective community engagement should be an important and integral part of the decision making process;
	(iv) The environmental impacts for possible options should be assessed looking at both the long and short term.
	These considerations are reflected in Planning Policy Statement 10 (PPS 10), published by the Department for Communities and Local Government. Guidance on PPS10 was published in June this year following a series of seminars with interested parties.
	The Government also encourage all local authorities to have in place a fit-for-purpose and up-to-date municipal waste management strategy to assist their waste management planning. DEFRA has produced guidance on how to prepare a waste management strategy, which is available from the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environmental/waste/local/planning.html.

Rural Payments Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Rural Payments Agency staff received a bonus in each of the last three years; what the average value of such bonuses was; what the  (a) highest and  (b) lowest bonus paid was over the period; and by what criteria such payments are awarded.

Barry Gardiner: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			   Number of staff in receipt of a performance bonus  Average value of performance bonus (£) 
			 2004 525 500 
			 2005 539 341 
			 2006(1) 467 485 
			 (1 )Estimates based on current available information. 
		
	
	In 2004 the RPA paid a flat rate non-consolidated bonus payment of £500 for staff with 'Exceeded' box marks following the end of year individual performance review. This arrangement was negotiated with TUS and implemented as part of the 2004 pay settlement.
	In 2005 the RPA awarded a flat rate bonus of £550 to staff with 'Exceeded' box marks. This was awarded in two parts. Part one—a half step progression in the payscale. Part two—the remaining value of the bonus was paid as a non-consolidated lump sum up to the value of £550. This arrangement was negotiated with TUS and implemented as part of the 2005 pay settlement.
	In 2006 the RPA proposes to pay a flat rate non-consolidated bonus of £500 to staff with Exceeded box marks. This will be pro rated for part time staff. This arrangement is currently the subject of negotiation within the 2006 Pay Settlement.
	In addition bonuses paid to the former RPA Chief Executive, Johnston McNeill, are:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004 18,640.60 
			 2005 21,062.25 
		
	
	No bonuses have been paid for 2006.
	Under the terms of Johnston McNeill's contract and in line with Cabinet Office guidance for SCS pay, these bonuses were related to annual salary and apportioned according to achievement of specific targets, including RPA's published key performance targets.

Single Farm Payment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much farmers in  (a) Lancashire and  (b) the North West have received from the single farm payment scheme in each year since it was introduced.

Barry Gardiner: It is not possible to calculate the proportion of farm income derived from the 2005 Single Payment Scheme as a statistical analysis by region is not yet available. This information will be published in due course.

Softwood

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the report "United Kingdom: New Forecast of Softwood Availability" published by the Forestry Commission in September.

Barry Gardiner: I will arrange for a copy of the report, which was published on the Forestry Commission's website at http://www.forestrygov.uk/pdf/PF2005.pdf/$FILE/PF2005.pdf, to be placed in the Library of the House.

Softwood

Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what his most recent estimate is of the availability of UK sourced softwood;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of forecasts of available supplies of UK sourced softwood for power generation; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: The new forecast of UK softwood availability was recently published on the Forestry Commission's website. Table 1 from the report, reproduced as follows, shows the amount of material available to a stated top diameter, rather than by potential end use. The full report is available on the Commission website at: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/PF2005.pdf/$FILE/PF2005.pdf. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.
	
		
			  Table 1: United Kingdom: 2005 forecast of softwood availability—Forestry Commission Estate (FC), Forest Service Northern Ireland (FS) and Private Sector (PS) 
			  (Average annual volume in thousands of cubic metres overbark standing) 
			   2007-11  2012-16 
			  Top-diameter class  FC/FS  PS  Total  Percentage spruce  FC/FS  PS  Total  Percentage spruce 
			  North England 
			 7 to 14 cm 259 136 395 72 264 133 397 75 
			 14 to 16 cm 90 55 145 74 89 60 149 74 
			 16 to 18 cm 81 58 139 72 79 67 146 72 
			 Up to 18 cm 339 313 652 56 356 386 742 58 
			 Total 769 562 1,331 64 788 647 1,434 66 
			  
			  Central England 
			 7 to 14 cm 62 73 135 14 48 60 108 15 
			 14 to 16 cm 22 32 54 13 19 28 47 15 
			 16 to 18 cm 21 36 57 12 19 34 53 15 
			 Up to 18 cm 153 284 437 12 180 322 502 13 
			 Total 258 425 683 12 266 443 710 13 
			  
			  South England 
			 7 to 14 cm 56 146 202 21 56 127 183 21 
			 14 to 16 cm 20 62 82 22 21 55 76 22 
			 16 to 18 cm 22 70 92 23 23 64 87 24 
			 Up to 18 cm 243 594 837 20 276 665 941 20 
			 Total 341 871 1,213 21 376 912 1,287 21 
			  
			  England 
			 7 to 14 cm 377 355 732 47 368 320 688 51 
			 14 to 16 cm 132 149 281 47 129 144 272 49 
			 16 to 18 cm 124 164 288 44 121 165 286 47 
			 Up to 18 cm 735 1,190 1,926 30 812 1,373 2,185 31 
			 Total 1,368 1,858 3,227 37 1,430 2,002 3,431 38 
			  
			  Wales 
			 7 to 14 cm 166 155 321 66 174 156 330 68 
			 14 to 16 cm 69 55 124 71 73 56 129 74 
			 16 to 18 cm 72 61 133 71 77 64 141 74 
			 Up to 18 cm 482 397 879 63 557 469 1,026 66 
			 Total 789 669 1,457 65 881 746 1,626 68 
			  
			  Scotland 
			 7 to 14 cm 999 945 1,944 68 1,070 1,033 2,103 68 
			 14 to 16 cm 357 402 759 75 413 459 872 74 
			 16 to 18 cm 336 420 756 77 401 496 897 76 
			 Up to 18 cm 1,540 1,894 3,434 76 1,885 2,393 4,278 76 
			 Total 3,232 3,661 6,893 73 3,769 4,380 8,150 74 
			  
			  Great Britain 
			 7 to 14 cm 1,542 1,455 2,997 63 1,612 1,509 3,121 64 
			 14 to 16 cm 558 606 1,164 68 615 659 1,273 69 
			 16 to 18 cm 532 645 1,177 68 599 725 1,324 70 
			 Up to 18 cm 2,757 3,481 6,239 60 3,254 4,235 7,489 62 
			 Total 5,389 6,188 11,577 62 6,080 7,128 13,207 64 
			  
			  Northern Ireland 
			 7 to 14 cm 79 2 81 89 100 2 102 91 
			 14 to 16 cm 42 2 44 89 56 2 58 91 
			 16 to 18 cm 42 4 46 89 56 4 60 91 
			 Up to 18 cm 289 12 301 89 367 12 379 91 
			 Total 452 20 472 89 579 20 599 91 
			  
			  United Kingdom 
			 7 to 14 cm 1,621 1,457 3,078 63 1,712 1,511 3,223 65 
			 14 to 16 cm 600 608 1,208 68 671 661 1,331 70 
			 16 to 18 cm 574 649 1,223 69 655 729 1,384 71 
			 Up to 18 cm 3,046 3,493 6,540 61 3,621 4,247 7,868 63 
			 Total 5,841 6,208 12,049 63 6,659 7,148 13,806 65 
		
	
	
		
			  (Average annual volume in thousands of cubic metres overbark standing) 
			   2017-21  2022-26 
			  Top-diameter class  FC/FS  PS  Total  Percentage spruce  FC/FS  PS  Total  Percentage spruce 
			  North England 
			 7 to 14 cm 220 129 349 73 173 122 295 73 
			 14 to 16 cm 82 61 143 75 69 59 128 75 
			 16 to 18 cm 75 71 146 73 64 69 133 74 
			 Up to 18 cm 336 450 786 59 292 477 769 59 
			 Total 713 711 1,424 65 598 727 1,325 65 
			  
			  Central England 
			 7 to 14 cm 42 52 94 15 35 51 86 15 
			 14 to 16 cm 19 25 44 14 16 23 39 15 
			 16 to 18 cm 20 32 52 15 18 29 47 17 
			 Up to 18 cm 192 360 552 14 190 375 565 14 
			 Total 273 469 742 14 259 478 737 14 
			  
			  South England 
			 7 to 14 cm 53 115 168 21 42 107 149 21 
			 14 to 16 cm 22 50 72 22 18 46 64 20 
			 16 to 18 cm 24 60 84 23 20 56 76 22 
			 Up to 18 cm 318 750 1,068 20 262 788 1,050 19 
			 Total 417 974 1,392 21 342 996 1,339 20 
			  
			  England 
			 7 to 14 cm 315 296 611 50 250 280 530 49 
			 14 to 16 cm 123 137 259 50 103 128 231 50 
			 16 to 18 cm 119 162 282 48 102 154 256 48 
			 Up to 18 cm 846 1,560 2,406 31 744 1,640 2,384 31 
			 Total 1,403 2,155 3,558 37 1,199 2,201 3,401 36 
			  
			  Wales 
			 7 to 14 cm 169 178 347 71 150 193 343 74 
			 14 to 16 cm 71 54 125 73 66 50 116 73 
			 16 to 18 cm 73 63 136 74 69 57 126 75 
			 Up to 18 cm 480 466 946 66 461 446 907 68 
			 Total 793 761 1,554 69 746 746 1,492 71 
			  
			  Scotland 
			 7 to 14 cm 1,054 1,116 2,170 67 908 1,082 1,990 67 
			 14 to 16 cm 438 501 939 74 397 497 894 73 
			 16 to 18 cm 438 548 986 76 405 555 960 75 
			 Up to 18 cm 2,172 2,675 4,847 77 1,987 2,872 4,859 77 
			 Total 4,102 4,840 8,942 74 3,697 5,006 8,703 74 
			  
			  Great Britain 
			 7 to 14 cm 1,538 1,590 3,128 64 1,308 1,555 2,863 65 
			 14 to 16 cm 632 692 1,323 69 566 674 1,241 69 
			 16 to 18 cm 630 773 1,404 70 576 767 1,342 70 
			 Up to 18 cm 3,498 4,701 8,199 62 3,192 4,958 8,150 63 
			 Total 6,298 7,756 14,054 64 5,642 7,954 13,596 64 
			  
			  Northern Ireland 
			 7 to 14 cm 82 2 84 91 69 2 71 91 
			 14 to 16 cm 56 2 58 91 42 2 44 91 
			 16 to 18 cm 48 4 52 91 42 4 46 91 
			 Up to 18 cm 386 12 398 91 376 12 388 91 
			 Total 572 20 592 91 529 20 549 91 
			  
			  United Kingdom 
			 7 to 14 cm 1,620 1,592 3,212 65 1,377 1,557 2,934 65 
			 14 to 16 cm 688 694 1,381 70 608 676 1,285 69 
			 16 to 18 cm 678 777 1,456 71 618 771 1,388 71 
			 Up to 18 cm 3,884 4,713 8,597 64 3,568 4,970 8,538 64 
			 Total 6,870 7,776 14,646 65 6,171 7,974 14,145 65

State Veterinary Service

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in expenditure on the ability of the state veterinary service to deal with outbreaks of disease.

Ben Bradshaw: There has been no reduction in funding for the SVS. On the contrary, the SVS has received an increase of £19 million this year in its funding.

Vets

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average change in veterinary charges in abattoirs has been in the last five years.

Caroline Flint: I have been asked to reply.
	I understand from the Food Standards Agency that operators of abattoirs pay charges for meat hygiene official controls either on the basis of standard European Community fees for animal throughput, or on the basis of the cost of the controls if this would provide a lower charge. In 2005-06, about 95 per cent. of operators of abattoirs paid charges for hygiene controls based on European Community fees for animal throughput. These fees have not been increased since they were introduced in 2001.
	The other 5 per cent. of abattoir operators, mainly of the largest abattoirs, pay charges based on the cost of the meat hygiene official controls that are carried out. These charges include an element for veterinary costs in addition to the costs of other classes of official control staff and overheads. The veterinary cost element of the charge in Great Britain comprises the cost of veterinarians employed by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) or the cost of veterinary services provided under contracts that are let competitively by the MHS and are individual to each abattoir. The veterinary cost element of meat hygiene charges for services provided by veterinarians employed by the MHS increased by approximately 24 per cent. from 2002-03 to 2006-07. The change in the average cost of contract veterinarians in the last five years could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether the Waste and Resources Action Programme Real Nappy Initiative aimed to divert 35,000 tonnes of waste  (a) in each year from 2003 to 2006 and  (b) in total;
	(2)  how much disposable nappy waste has been diverted by the Waste and Resources Action Programme's Real Nappy initiative; and what its targets are for such diversion.

Ben Bradshaw: pursuant to the reply, 3 July 2006, Official Report, c. 747-48
	The first sentence contained the words 'per annum'. This was incorrect and the correct answer should read as follows:
	The target of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Real Nappy programme target was to convert an additional 155,000 households to real nappy use by April 2006, and in the process divert 35,000 tonnes per annum of disposable nappy waste from landfill.
	The rest of the answer remains correct and is detailed as follows:
	WRAP reports annually on its overall progress in meeting targets, including work under the Real Nappy Programme. It is scheduled to report on its achievements for the business plan period up to 2006 soon. At the outset of the programme, 91 per cent. of expectant parents said they intended to use disposable nappies. Work done for the Environment Agency suggested the figure may be higher at 94 per cent. WRAP intends to survey parents again at the end of the programme and to establish the change in intended behaviour. An estimate of the diversion will be made and published by WRAP at that time taking account of the survey and other quantitative evidence.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what imports to the UK came from Burma in the first six months of 2006, broken down by value of category of import.

Ian McCartney: Information on the UK's imports of goods from Burma by product is given in the following table.
	
		
			  UK imports of goods from Burma: January to June 2006 at two digit Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) level 
			  SITC  Description  £000 
			 03 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc. (not marine mammals) 3,625 
			 05 Vegetables and fruit 359 
			 07 Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof 107 
			 24 Cork and wood 486 
			 51 Organic chemicals 17 
			 52 Inorganic chemicals 25 
			 59 Chemical materials and products nes 39 
			 63 Cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture) 928 
			 64 Paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp; etc. 41 
			 65 Textile yam, fabrics, made-up articles, nes 63 
			 66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures 10 
			 69 Manufactures of metal nes 114 
			 71 Power generating machinery and equipment 31 
			 72 Machinery specialised for particular industries 61 
			 75 Office machines and ADP equipment 132 
			 76 Telecoms and sound recording and reproducing apparatus 15 
			 77 Electrical machinery, appliances, nes and parts thereof 116 
			 78 Road vehicles 10 
			 81 Prefabricated buildings; sanitary, plumbing, heating, lighting 23 
			 82 Furniture, bedding, mattresses, cushions and similar stuffed furnishing 662 
			 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 12 
			 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 5,806 
			 85 Footwear 828 
			 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles nes 129 
			 9- Commodities and Transactions not elsewhere classified in the SITC 90 
			 Total  13,729 
			 nes = not elsewhere specified.   Note:  Further detail is available in OTS publications and from the website www.uktradeinfo.com   Source:  HM Revenue and Customs Overseas Trade Statistics

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies  (a) import and  (b) sell Burmese timber in the UK.

Ian McCartney: The information is as follows:
	 (a) For reasons of confidentiality, HM Revenue and Customs do not publish company information at the level of detail required by this question.
	 (b) This information is not collected.

Citizens Advice Bureaux

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2323W, on citizens advice bureaux, what assessment he has made of the merits of  (a) time-limited and  (b) on-going support.

Ian McCartney: As the previous answer indicated, central Government will not be providing on-going support to Citizens Advice Bureaux in the UK and has therefore not carried out an assessment of support options for the bureaux. Approximately half the current support comes from local authorities that offer time-limited support agreements with possibility of renewal (but no guarantees).
	A recent review of the Department's funding of Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland concluded that there were advantages in having a mix of core funding and short-term project support. This can provide stability with the ability to be innovative and flexible to meet changing needs. I will be considering the report's recommendations as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review planning process. The full report is on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/files/file33785.pdf.

Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he plans to make to the recommendations of the Stern Review on the economics of climate change.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs presented the Government's response to the Stern review on the economics of climate change in this House on 30 October.
	The Department of Trade and Industry expect to use the Review's findings as a major input into future policymaking including the proposed Energy White Paper expected to be published in March 2007.

Departmental Property

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1689W, on departmental property, what items were reported within his Department as being lost or stolen in each month since July 2005 in each building; and what the approximate value was of each item.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1689W.
	The Department's records do not readily differentiate between items reported as stolen or lost, by building. The breakdown between the three is not held in an easily accessible form and can, therefore, be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Door-to-Door Salesmen

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to tackle rogue door-to-door salesmen.

Jim Fitzpatrick: On 7 September 2006 the Department announced the Government's response to a report on doorstep selling published by the Office of Fair Trading in May 2004, in the light of a public consultation between July and November 2004 and further consultations with interested parties in 2005 and 2006. The response says that the Government will:
	(a) extend to solicited visits, the cancellation rights and cooling-off period that consumers currently enjoy for unsolicited visits;
	(b) require cancellation notices to be provided within contracts; and
	(c) encourage greater transparency on prices and greater willingness to provide written quotes.
	The first measure (a) will require primary legislation, which the Government will bring forward at the earliest opportunity. We will then implement both options (a) and (b) by bringing forward revised Regulations in this area.
	The response recommended that the third measure (c) be taken forward through industry self-regulation, by encouraging traders to operate under Codes of Practice that have been approved under the Office of Fair Trading's Consumer Codes Approval Scheme, or for the building and construction trades through participation in TrustMark.

Economic Partnership Agreements

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the timetable is for the EU's review of economic partnership agreements; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The joint EU-ACP review of Economic Partnership Agreements is taking place at present and a consolidated report will be presented to EU and ACP Ministers in early 2007.

Economic Partnership Agreements

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he  (a) has made and  (b) plans to make to the EU's review of economic partnership agreements.

Ian McCartney: The UK took an active part in discussions to agree a joint ACP/EU declaration on the review currently taking place and we pushed hard for language that reflects our UK position. We see the review as an opportunity to highlight concerns raised by both sides and we regularly ask the Commission for updates on progress. We have also asked the Commission to hold an EPA Expert Group meeting in November in order to feedback to all member states on progress to date, raise any concerns and provide a timeline for completion of negotiations.

Energy Research and Development

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to increase financial support for  (a) energy research and development and  (b) the deployment of low carbon technologies.

Malcolm Wicks: Research Councils' support for energy research is increasing from £40 million per annum to £70 million per annum between 2005-06 and 2007-08. Funding for the following three years will be determined in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in September a commitment of up to £500 million to a new Energy Technologies Institute, to create a £l billion joint venture with industry over the next decade for energy research and development.
	In June, my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the new Environmental Transformation Fund which is intended to boost investment in low carbon technologies and in energy efficiency. The fund will focus on demonstration and deployment of low carbon technologies. It is expected to run over the next CSR period from 2008-09 through to 2010-11. Details of the Fund will be announced in due course.

Energy Review

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library the reports commissioned by the Energy Review team for the Energy Review from  (a) Deloitte,  (b) Ernst and Young,  (c) Jackson Consulting,  (d) Morgan Stanley,  (e) Oxera,  (f) Oxford Economic Forecasting and  (g) Global Insight.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 31 October 2006
	As part of the Energy Review process we commissioned a number of reports and studies by consultants. Many of these are already on the DTI website at:
	www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review <http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review>
	However, we will not be placing the other reports in the Libraries of the House at this time. Some of those reports contain commercially confidential information from third parties, and disclosure at this stage may affect the open and frank discussions that we have with those third parties. Other reports relate to policies which are still being formed, and therefore it is not appropriate to place them in the Libraries of the House at this stage. Over time it may be possible to place more of these reports in the Libraries of the House and on the DTI website.

Farepak

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent meetings he has had with HBOS on the continued trading of Farepak between August and October.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 6 November 2006
	I made contact with the Chairman of HBOS and will have further discussions with him after the debate in Westminster Hall on 7 November titled 'Farepak and the voucher/hamper industry', raised by my hon. Friend the Member for South Swindon.

Farepak

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to investigate whether money continued to be collected by agents of Farepak Christmas hampers after the company had collapsed.

Ian McCartney: In a statement issued by the administrators on 27 October 2006, the administrators said:
	"Cheques sent to Farepak and received by the joint administrators after the company went into administration were never banked and some customers will already have received their returned cheques. This process will continue for some time. Due to the volume of correspondence being processed, there is no set time limit on when these cheques will arrive."

Fireworks

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the  (a) effectiveness and  (b) enforcement of regulations on the control of fireworks; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 6 November 2006
	I have received a small number of representations from members of the public on the effectiveness and enforcement of the fireworks regulations.
	The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick) set out the Government position on fireworks in the Adjournment Debate on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 689-92.

Former Employees (Compensation)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has paid in compensation to former employees in each of the last 10 years; what the reason for compensation was in each case; what his policy is towards compensating former employees; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department of Trade and Industry paid out a total of £11,951.67 in compensation to former employees in the financial year 2005-06. To provide information for earlier years would incur disproportionate cost.
	The £11,951.67 compensation paid in 2005-06 comprises the following categories of payments:
	16 were DTI Employment Tribunal Service ex-gratia payments made to parties in an Employment Tribunal;
	Eight were compensation payments for financial loss or poor service in DTI pension administration to former employees;
	Two were for cases of alleged race discrimination which were withdrawn following compensation payments.
	The policy towards compensating former civil service employees is laid out in 'Government Accounting' which all Departments apply. DTI follows Government Accounting rules in considering a compensation payment to a former employee.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many requests he has made for repayment of sums wrongly taken by UDM/Vendside from his Department in the last month; and for how much.

Malcolm Wicks: No such request has been made. The Department has, however, asked the Union of Democratic Mineworkers for comments on their relationship with those solicitor firms to which they have referred work.

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department is providing to individual consumers on complaining to the Law Society about double charging by solicitors for miners' compensation claims.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department explains that it pays solicitors' fees and that it does not expect claimants to have to make additional payments. The Law Society have advised that, unless full information was given to the miner at the start of the case that most firms of solicitors did not make additional charges in these cases, any charges the solicitor makes to the claimant is likely to give rise to a finding of inadequate professional service.
	Claimants are also advised that the Law Society has a Helpline (0845 608 6565) which claimants may contact with any complaints about individual firms of solicitors. The Department has been active in encouraging claimants to contact the Law Society in this respect and included this information in its most recent Compensation for Miners newsletter.

Miners' Compensation

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former miners have received a full and final payment of less than £1,000 for chronic bronchitis and emphysema in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of miners who have received payments of less than £1,000 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the last three years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of claims settled by payment( 1) 
			 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004 14,630 
			 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 15,109 
			 1 January 2006 to 31 October 2006 6,842 
			 Total 36,581 
			 (1)where total value is less than £1,000 in period

Miners' Compensation

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing a minimum compensation payment for former miners suffering from chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Malcolm Wicks: The Claimants' Group (CG) have indicated that solicitors are currently implementing a simplified minimum payment scheme and payments should start to be made shortly to eligible claimants. We welcome this initiative and hope it is successful in settling unresolved low value claims.

Miners' Compensation

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful claims there have been from former miners in Barnsley East and Mexborough for  (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and  (b) vibration white finger; and what the total value is of such claims.

Malcolm Wicks: As at 30 September 2006, the number of claims made by miners in Barnsley East and Mexborough for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, vibration white finger (VWF) that had been settled by payment was 12,537. In total, £100.4 million had been paid to Barnsley East and Mexborough constituents.
	Constituency statistics for COPD and VWF are updated monthly and are available from the DTIs website:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/coal-health/statistics/constituency/page20839.html

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Capita refuses to pay claimants for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vibration white finger directly in circumstances where the claim is settled and the fee has been returned by Vendside Ltd. to Capita.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the Claims Handling Agreement, payments are made to a claimant's representative with whom all correspondence relating to a claim is exchanged. Claims are settled once an offer has been accepted and payment made. If Vendside Ltd. returned the compensation cheque, it may be that they no longer represent the claimant. In these circumstances, the claimant would need to appoint another representative.

Minimum Wage

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in Scotland aged  (a) 16 and 17 and  (b) between 18 and 21 years are receiving the relevant rate of the national minimum wage.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is not possible to estimate the number of jobs paid exactly at the national minimum wage, but the DTI can make estimates based on data from the Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2006.
	In April 2006, the number of jobs in Scotland  (a) held by employees aged between 16 and 17, paid between £3.00 and £3.10, was less than 1,000 and  (b) held by employees aged between 18 and 21, paid between £4.20 and £4.30, was around 8,000.

Minimum Wage

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland have received the young workers rate of national minimum wage since its introduction.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Although it is not possible to estimate the number of jobs paid exactly at the national minimum wage, the DTI can make estimates based on data from the Office for National Statistics Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2005 and 2006.
	In Scotland, the number of jobs held by 16 and 17-year-olds paid between £3.00 and £3.10 was 2,000 in April 2005, and less than 1,000 in April 2006.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.
	Full details of the central fund (the Government Carbon Offsetting Fund) is available on the DEFRA website at the following address:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environinent/climatechange/carboncost/carbon-offsetting/index.htm

Mr. David Mills

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations or inquiries the Government have initiated during the last three years into the dealings of Mr. David Mills in connection with the sale of aviation spare parts and equipment to Iran in contravention of United Nations and European Union trade sanctions; and what the results were.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. and learned Gentleman in the time available before Prorogation.

Nuclear Power

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications his Department has received to fund research and development work on new nuclear reactor designs from  (a) the University of Manchester and  (b) other organisations; what responses have been given to each application; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Applications were submitted in response to the Department's invitation to organizations to bid for funds to carry out Generation IV International Forum research. The Department subsequently withdrew from active participation in the Forum and the invitation to bid was cancelled. The applicants were informed of the Department's decision not to proceed with the research on 11 October 2006.
	The organisations that applied for funding were:
	AMEC NNC;
	Mitsui Babcock;
	Nexia Solutions (University of Manchester were part of a consortium led by Nexia);
	Sheffield University;
	Weir, Strachan and Henshaw.

Nuclear Power

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on the proposed co-ordination of nuclear power research programmes across the European Union; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has had numerous discussions with regard to the Euratom Framework Programme 7 (FP7) covering research into fusion energy and nuclear fission and radiation protection. Negotiations on FP7 continue and agreement with the European Parliament is expected at the second reading at the end of November.
	The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry, Lord Sainsbury, has had several discussions with member states covering wider FP7 negotiations in which Euratom was included as part of the discussions.

Nuclear Waste

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cost of disposing of the nuclear waste resulting from  (a) British Energy's nuclear power stations and  (b) the Ministry of Defence's nuclear weapons and nuclear- powered craft.

Malcolm Wicks: The NDA assess British Energy's estimated costs for decommissioning and radioactive waste disposal each year (as set out in British Energy's annual liabilities report). This is consistent with the figures reported in British Energy's annual report and accounts.
	The Ministry of Defence will provide details in due course after further investigation, when the Minister will respond in writing.

Personal Borrowing (Interest Rates)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what mechanisms are in place to protect consumers from unduly high interest rates on personal borrowing; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Currently sections 137 and 138 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 regulate extortionate credit bargains. These ensure that where bargains are extortionate, the courts may reopen the credit agreement and set aside the whole or part of any obligation on the debtor, require the creditor to repay the whole or part of the sums paid, return surety or alter the terms of the agreement. These provisions will be replaced by a test of whether a credit relationship is unfair when the Consumer Credit Act 2006 comes into force. This will enable the courts to take into account all the circumstances of the relationship between the borrower and lender, not just the terms of the agreement when it was made. The new Act will also strengthen the test of fitness to hold a consumer credit licence and provide the Office of Fair Trading with greater powers to take action against lenders who do not behave in a fit and proper manner.
	In addition, we have already introduced new legislation to ensure that consumers are more aware of the terms and conditions associated with any credit agreement before they sign. This increase in transparency will enable consumers to shop around with confidence, choosing the right product to suit their needs.
	The Government will continue to monitor the impact of these measures.

Petrol Stations

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many petrol stations there are in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: The number of petrol retail filling stations in the UK is 9,626.
	 Source
	Catalist Ltd. "Market Summary Report" published in July 2006.

Post Offices

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent introducing the Post Office Card Account.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley) on 27 February 2006,  Official Report, column 138W.

Post Offices

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what written representations he has received from elected representatives of Manchester city council regarding the proposed franchising of Chorlton Crown post office since 15 October 2006; what discussions have taken place between Government Ministers and such representatives on the proposed franchising since that date; and which such representatives have met Ministers to discuss the franchising since that date.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department has not received any written representations from representatives of Manchester city council since 15 October 2006.
	I am due to meet with representatives from the council shortly in response to a representation received in late September.

Renewable Energy

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on plans to stimulate the development of renewable energy technologies through the planning system.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 6 November 2006
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, and I have held regular discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government on a range of energy issues including the development of renewable energy technologies through the planning system.

Royal Mail

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many accidents resulting in death or serious injury occurred to Royal Mail employees in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what percentage of these accidents were as a result of road traffic accidents.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This is an operational matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked Adam Crozier, the chief executive of Royal Mail, to provide a direct reply to the hon. Member.

Timber

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take the conclusions of the Forestry Commission's report 'United Kingdom: New Forecast of Softwood Availability' into account in his Renewables Obligation Statutory Consultation to the Renewables Obligation Order 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government will consider the Forestry Commission's report 'United Kingdom: New Forecast of Softwood Availability' as part of the statutory consultation on the Renewables Obligation Order 2007. The consultation closes on 15 December. All responses and other relevant information will be considered together at that point.

Wind Farms

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has been informed of for wind farms with a generating capacity in excess of 50MW in  (a) Clocaenog Forest,  (b) Denbighshire and  (c) the county borough of Conwy.

Malcolm Wicks: No onshore wind farm applications above 50MW are currently being considered in Wales. However, a pre-application scoping opinion was requested and subsequently given on 12 May 2006 under the Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 for the proposed Brenig wind farm at Tir Mostyn, Denbighshire. This may or may not result in an application.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality how much was spent by her Office in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation  (a) in the UK and  (b) abroad for (i) herself, (ii) staff and (iii) other persons in each year since 2001-02.

Meg Munn: The Department for Communities and Local Government do not hold the information in the form requested, which can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information relating to overseas travel by Ministers is published on an annual basis. Information for the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2006 is available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2006-07 will be published as soon as it is ready after the end of the current financial year.
	All expenditure is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers, and the Civil Service Management Code.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  how much was spent by  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons in each year since 2001-02;
	(2)  how much was spent by his Department on food and alcohol for its staff working out of office in each year since 2001-02.

Mike O'Brien: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Solicitor-General if his Department will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its work force,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) carried out an age audit of its staff in the summer of 2005 and 2006; the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) produces a monthly HR report to its board which includes detailed statistics on the age profile of its work force; the RCPO has now adopted staff profiling and a new database will enable regular age audits; the Treasury Solicitor's Department keeps a record of the age profile of its staff and Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate plans to carry out an age profile of its staff in the near future.
	 (b) The CPS carried out a review of all human resources policies to ensure they were age compliant, and as a result has updated its retirement age policy to reflect the new contractual retirement age of 65; the SFO has taken steps to remove any potentially discriminating measures as regards age, for example, by changing its policy on annual leave, and the SFO also offers a flexible policy, allowing staff to select a retirement age of 60-65; the RCPO is drafting new retirement policy and procedure and will consult Union representatives before implementing; the Treasury Solicitor's Department and HMCPSI ensure that all terms and conditions of employment are applied equally to staff of all ages.
	 (c) The Treasury Solicitor's Department, the CPS, the SFO and HMCPSI identify and support training needs for all its employees, irrespective of their age; RCPO has doubled its training budget this year and will continue to support the training and development needs of all staff.
	 (d) In the Law Officers' Departments all employees, irrespective of age, can request to work flexible hours and the flexible working policy ensures that all requests are treated fairly.

Fraud

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General what the levels of serious fraud have been in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Fraud is by its nature surreptitious and that highlights the fact that at present there are no entirely reliable estimates of either levels of fraud, or the cost of fraud to the economy as a whole. The report set out in an annex existing methodologies for measuring fraud; but went on to recommend the establishment of a measurement unit, within a national fraud strategic authority, which would have the responsibility for producing accurate measurements of the extent of fraud and which would track the success of initiatives to tackle that fraud.

Legal Aid

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of the implications arising from the Carter Review of legal aid.

Mike O'Brien: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Concorde

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she has had discussions with British Airways about maintaining a flightworthy Concorde for use on special occasions.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him today by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Gillian Merron).

Creative Partnerships

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been allocated to creative partnerships between schools and arts organisations in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport allocated £32 million to the Creative Partnerships Programme in 2005-06. For 2006-07 the Department has allocated £34 million to the Programme. In addition, Creative Partnerships receives £2.5 million per annum from the Department for Education and Skills.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many redundancies there were in her Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each year; how many temporary staff were employed in each year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to posts within her Department in each year.

David Lammy: None.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff in her Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid has been; what the largest single payment was in each year; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Department makes bonus payments to its staff for two purposes:  (a) special bonuses to reward outstanding contributions in particularly demanding tasks or situations; and  (b) performance bonuses to reward highly successful performance over a whole year.
	
		
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  (a) Special bonuses  
			 Number(1) of staff awarded special bonuses 85 91 111 68 117 
			 Percentage of workforce 21.3 19.8 21.9 13.3 22.9 
			 Total value of special bonuses (£) 28,850 (2)— 42,040 38,181 53,436 
			   
			  (b) Performance bonuses  
			 Number(1) of staff awarded performance bonuses 159 78 104 104 123 
			 Percentage of workforce 39.8 17.0 20.6 20.4 24.1 
			 Total value of performance bonuses (£) 50,576 106,128 164,603 177,104 239,805 
			 (1) In any one year, some staff may receive both a special bonus and an end year performance bonus.  (2 )This information is not available. 
		
	
	The largest single bonus payments for each year were as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2001-02 2,000 
			 2002-03 3,500 
			 2003-04 5,000 
			 2004-05 7,000 
			 2005-06 6,000

Digital Switchover

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which industry representatives were consulted on the time to be taken between publication of the final proposals for the Digital Dividend Review and its implementation.

Shaun Woodward: The department has not consulted with industry representatives on proposals for the Digital Dividend Review.
	Ofcom announced on 17 November 2005 the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review project to examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme. It is for Ofcom to decide who to consult in relation to the Digital Dividend Review.

Digital Switchover

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers Ofcom has to ensure that ITV will continue to produce local news programmes following the changeover from analogue to digital television.

Shaun Woodward: ITV1's public service broadcasting obligations relate to regional not local news.
	The Communications Act tasks Ofcom to set appropriate targets for the provision of regional news programmes and will continue to do so after the switchover to digital television.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

David Lammy: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport would recognise the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for recruitment purposes.

Light Bulbs

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of light bulbs purchased by her Department in 2005 were of the compact fluorescent type.

Shaun Woodward: The Department does not use light bulbs of the compact fluorescent type.
	We are currently refurbishing our offices at 2-4 Cockspur Street and are installing T16 energy efficient light bulbs.

Live Music

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the MORI research into live music commissioned by her Department will be published; and why the MORI presentation to the Live Music Forum on its research was cancelled.

Shaun Woodward: The Department expects to publish the MORI research into live music in December.
	The decision to cancel the MORI presentation was based on our desire to ensure that the data were subject to suitable quality assurance procedures. In addition, presenting to the Forum would not have been consistent with national statistics protocols to ensure equal access to the data for all interested parties, including the Live Music Forum, the Musician's Union and the general public.

Live Music

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when her Department will be making Ipsos-MORI's research on the impact of the new licensing legislation on live music available to the  (a) Live Music Forum,  (b) Musicians Union and  (c) the general public.

Shaun Woodward: The current Ipsos-MORI research on live music licensing will be released to the Live Music Forum, the Musicians' Union and the general public at the same time. We currently expect to release the report in December.

Live Music

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason certain members of the Live Music Forum previewed the Ipsos-MORI research recently commissioned by her Department; and what criteria were used in inviting such participation.

Shaun Woodward: The National Statistics Code of Practice sets out the guidelines for the release of statistics. It states that early access is permitted for those "able to offer useful ideas, comments and criticism on the quality and presentation of the information". Two members of the Live Music Forum were specifically chosen to review the draft of the research report because of their knowledge and experience of the live music industry, and, in particular, expertise in small venues—a focus of this study.

London Borough of Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which projects in the London borough of Bexley are under consideration by her Department.

David Lammy: There are currently no projects in the London borough of Bexley under consideration for direct funding by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in her Department.

Shaun Woodward: DCMS is developing a carbon offsetting scheme to cover air, rail and road travel by the Department, including Ministers. We intend to offer our sponsored bodies the opportunity to join the scheme, which we expect to launch early next year.

New Opportunity Fund

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 2049-50W, on the New Opportunity Fund, what further  (a) awards and  (b) payments have been made from the New Opportunities Fund for physical education and sport in the 2006-07 financial year.

Richard Caborn: To date this financial year, the value of  (a) awards made is £23,604,058 and  (b) payments made is £136,682,282.
	These figures do not include grants which have funded sport indirectly.

Olympic Games

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the use of Welsh sporting venues in connection with the 2012 London Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will host group stages of the football competition in the 2012 Olympic games.
	Sports Cabinet brings together all four of the UK home countries to consider and contribute to the development of sport at a policy and strategic level which will have an impact on a UK-wide basis. The Sports Cabinet already includes as a standing agenda item a regular update on all aspects of 2012. The Secretary of State is keen that this is maintained to ensure that issues impacting the devolved Administrations are fully discussed.
	The Government are determined that the whole of the UK, including Wales, can contribute to and benefit from the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games. A Nations and Regions Group (NRG), comprising representatives from every region and nation, has been established to provide leadership and strategic direction. Wales is represented by Gareth Hall, Director of the Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks of the Welsh Assembly Government.
	Areas of potential benefit include business opportunities, hosting pre-games training camps, tourism, culture and volunteering opportunities. Wales, through the NRG, is developing a delivery plan to ensure that these opportunities are maximised.
	As part of this process Wales has venues that could be used to provide facilities for pre-games training and for the holding camps that a country's National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or National Paralympic Committee (NPC) may choose to set up prior to the games.
	In order to assist NOCs and NPCs, the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) is putting together a 'Pre-Games Training Camp Guide' in which facilities in the UK that have been selected as providing a suitable training environment are listed by location and by sport.
	LOCOG have released details on their website, inviting expressions of interest from potential host facilities. Applications can be made on the London 2012 website: www.london2012.com/trainingcamps <http://www.london2012.com/trainingcamps>. Applications will initially be assessed locally with selection coordinated by each nation and region. A proposed list of facilities will then be submitted to LOCOG for final selection. The guide will be distributed to NOCs and NPCs in July 2008.

Olympic Games

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with  (a) the current board and  (b) potential owners of West Ham United about the ownership of the London 2012 stadiums.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 6 November 2006
	On 3 July 2006, I and representatives of the other Olympic stakeholders met the Mayor of Newham and representatives of West Ham United to discuss the legacy of the Olympic stadium. The Minister of Sport and officials have also had exploratory discussions with those with a potential interest in the legacy use of the stadium. I have held no discussions with any potential owners of West Ham United.

Olympic Games

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether athletics events will continue to be able to be held in the 2012 Olympic stadiums following the games irrespective of the ownership of those stadia.

Kim Howells: holding answer 6 November 2006
	As the Olympic Stadium Explanatory Document published in July by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) made clear, it is envisaged that in legacy mode it will be a 25,000-seater stadium with athletics at its core, consistent with the commitment set out in the London 2012 Candidate File. The ODA has appointed consultants who, in consultation with Olympic stakeholders, sporting bodies and the local community, are scoping the different possible legacy uses for the stadium with a view to drawing up a business plan for future use of the stadium. A wide range of options consistent with our Candidate File commitment is currently under consideration.

Olympic Games

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the expected completion date is for the  (a) Olympic stadium and  (b) Olympic village.

Tessa Jowell: As set out in the Olympic Park Delivery Programme (published in July 2006 by the Olympic Delivery Authority), the expected completion date for the construction of the Olympic stadium is 2011—in time for test events to take place—and the expected completion date for the construction of the Olympic village is early 2012.

Quiz Shows

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to ensure that the rules relating to advertising or lotteries apply to competitions on television quiz shows which require premium-rate telephone calls to enter.

Shaun Woodward: The Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) are responsible for the rules relating to advertising or lotteries on television which require premium rate calls to enter. Both ICSTIS and Ofcom are in the process of reviewing how they regulate this area to ensure effective consumer protection.
	On 3 August the Gambling Commission consulted on the possible need for some Call TV Quiz Services to change how they are currently operated to ensure compliance with the new rules under the Gambling Act 2005 (which will come into force in September 2007). However, only the courts will be able to decide whether or not certain Call TV Quiz Services constitute lotteries under the new Act.

Radio Spectrum

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of radio spectrum usage by the programme making and special events industry in the last five years for which figures are available; what estimate she has made of future usage; what the consequences of the changeover to digital broadcasting are likely to be for that usage; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: Ofcom manage the spectrum used for Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE), which is currently licensed by JFMG who have a contract with Ofcom which runs until 2008.
	Ofcom announced on 17 November 2005 the beginning of the Digital Dividend Review (DDR) project to examine the options arising from the release of spectrum afforded by the digital switchover programme. The DDR project also includes consideration of the spectrum currently being used by the PMSE users. Ofcom is planning to issue a consultation on the Digital Dividend Review by the end 2006.

Regeneration

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on the role of art and culture in regeneration; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Art and culture can play a significant role in regeneration. Examples of this can be seen across the country, such as the Lowry in Salford, the Sage in Newcastle-Gateshead and the Bellenden Renewal area in Peckham, South London. My Department's publication "Culture at the Heart of Regeneration" highlighted how culture can drive regeneration by reviving town centres, drawing communities together and promoting economic development. The role of culture in regeneration has been strengthened by a Joint Agreement on Sustainable Communities, signed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, my Department and a number of its key non-departmental public bodies in July this year.

Supporters Direct

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much public money has been allocated to Supporters Direct in 2005-06; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: A total of £415,000 was allocated to Supporters Direct during 2005-06. This comprised £325,000 from Sport England and £90,000 from Sport Scotland.
	Supporters Direct was established in 2001 and aims to deliver responsible democratic representation at football clubs through the establishment of Supporters Trusts. Over 140 trusts have already been established with Supporters Direct's help and over 65,000 people have been introduced to local democratic structures as club trust members.
	Supporters Direct's accounts are independently audited, approved by its members and are available on its website at:
	www.supporters-direct.org.

Television Licence Fees (Northern Ireland)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people in Northern Ireland have been  (a) fined and  (b) prosecuted for non-payment of television licence fees in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: Information recording prosecutions for licence evasion in Northern Ireland (recorded by TV Licensing) is available for the last three years:
	
		
			   Number of prosecutions 
			 2003-04 4,903 
			 2004-05 5,471 
			 2005-06 5,006 
		
	
	The other information requested is not collected centrally.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of school attendance rates for  (a) boys and  (b) girls in Afghanistan in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Afghanistan Ministry of Education figures for total enrolment rates in general education are:
	
		
			  million 
			   Girls  Boys  Total 
			 2004 1.3 2.7 4.0 
			 2005 1.7 3.2 4.9 
			 2006 1.9 3.5 5.4 
		
	
	DFID has not made any assessment of school attendance rates as we do not provide direct assistance to the education sector, with the exception of very limited support (£47,000) for primary education of refugees in 2001-02. Our support to the education sector has been channelled through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). This plays a big part in meeting the recurrent costs such as wages and salaries of teachers and school materials. ARTF resources cover over 90 per cent. of the Ministry of Education's wage bill and teachers' salaries represent almost 40 per cent. of ARTF recurrent expenditures. DFID funds a third of these expenditures.
	Other donors have taken the lead in providing direct support to the education sector, including the World Bank, USAID and United Nations Agencies. The UK is therefore also supporting the education sector through its contributions to multilateral agencies, such as the World Bank and UN.

Departmental Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many BP employees are on secondment to his Department; what areas they are working on; on what terms; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to his Department in each year since January 2002.

Gareth Thomas: No BP employees have been on secondment to DFID.

Ethiopia

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance the UK is giving the Ethiopian Government to help tackle corruption and promote good governance.

Hilary Benn: DFID and a number of other donors are contributing to the Public Sector Capacity Building Programme in Ethiopia, which aims to improve the Government's capacity to implement its policies and deliver effective services to the poor. DFID's contribution is £25 million over five years. An important part of this programme is designed to deliver more effective and efficient public financial management, including procurement, audit, transparency and accountability mechanisms.
	The Protection of Basic Services grant, which DFID helped to design and through which we began channelling assistance earlier this year, supports new initiatives for improving the accountability of Government and local officials to local communities for the delivery of basic services and to improve Public Financial Management.
	DFID also made a commitment in our White Paper, published in July this year, to conduct quality of governance assessments in partner countries, and we intend to do so in Ethiopia. The assessment will help us to identify how our programmes for promoting better governance might be strengthened.

IT Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which non-web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £500,000 since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

Hilary Benn: DFID has awarded the following contracts for IT projects costing more than £500,000 since 2001:
	
		
			  Project  Description  Qualified tenders  Awarded to: 
			 HR System Human Resources administration system 3 Northgate HR Ltd (formally known as Rebus Software Ltd) 
			 QUEST Electronic Document and Record Management System 6 LogicaCMG UK Ltd 
			 ARIES Finance, Procurement and Reporting system 5 Agresso Ltd 
		
	
	All three projects were for systems which are primarily aimed at efficient internal administration within DFID. However QUEST and ARIES have small components which deliver web-facing solutions. These components are fully integrated into the systems which were delivered in the contracts.

IT Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on  (a) equipment and  (b) consultants for (i) information technology and (ii) web-facing information technology projects in each year since 2001.

Hilary Benn: The following spend has been made in each financial year since 2001:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Equipment  Consultants 
			 2001-02 1,432,698 2,038,585 
			 2002-03 1,290,697 1,700,387 
			 2003-04 4,117,171 1,257,825 
			 2004-05 3,341,147 2,102,610 
			 2005-06 2,718,913 7,853,737 
		
	
	The figures for consultants include contractors engaged for implementation work on new IT systems. DFID does not keep separate records of the cost of IT consultants engaged in an advisory capacity.
	The figures for equipment cover hardware purchased for major IT projects. They do not include small routine equipment purchases and computer consumables.
	DFID's IT projects in this period have been primarily aimed at efficient internal administration. However some projects have small components which deliver web-facing solutions. These components are fully integrated into the systems and it is not possible to separate out their costs.
	The high figure for consultants in 2005-06 arises because it includes the costs for the implementation contractors engaged following competitive tender for the QUEST Electronic Document and Records Management system and the ARIES finance, procurement and reporting system.

IT Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's five most expensive  (a) web and  (b) non-web information technology projects have been since 2001.

Hilary Benn: The five most expensive IT projects undertaken by DFID since 2001 have been:
	QUEST Electronic Document and Records Management system
	ARIES Finance, Procurement and Reporting system
	ASSIST2000 Desktop installation
	Human Resource system
	CARIS Desktop refresh
	All five projects were for systems which are primarily aimed at efficient internal administration within DFID. However QUEST and ARIES have small components which deliver web-facing solutions. These components are fully integrated into the systems and it is not possible to separate out their costs.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what monitoring and evaluation system is used to measure the effectiveness and impact of his Department's overseas development aid.

Hilary Benn: DFID has a comprehensive database system containing data on all projects and programmes that have been approved and have spent funds since 1 April 1992.
	We assess the performance of all our projects and programmes of £1 million or more on an annual basis and on completion. Each project/programme is scored using a five-point scale, which assesses the degree to which it meets its objectives.
	Reviews may be undertaken by the project/programme team, by external consultants or in conjunction with other donors, partner governments or other external stakeholders. All reviews are scrutinised by Heads of Office or Department. A sample is reviewed in depth by our Internal Audit and Evaluation Departments when undertaking country programme audits and studies. Our Corporate Strategy Group undertakes ad hoc spot checks on compliance in project and programme reviews, and commissions external assessments of samples of reviews where appropriate.
	As well as country programme evaluations, the work of the Evaluation Department (EvD) includes a series of independent studies which measure effectiveness and impact across a range of sectors relevant to DFID's current agenda, from HIV/AIDS to Budget Support, from Anti-Corruption to Gender Equality. EvD studies are carried out by external professional evaluation experts who are free to produce objective and challenging reports for both accountability and lesson-learning purposes.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Islington, North constituency are in receipt of  (a) income support and  (b) jobseeker's allowance; how many are (i) under 18, (ii) between 18 and 25 and (iii) over 25 years old; and what the equivalent figures were for each of the last four financial years.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following tables.
	
		
			  Jobseeker's allowance claimants in the Islington, North parliamentary constituency as at February each year, and by age group. 
			   All  Under 18  18-25  26 and over 
			 2002 3,540 20 740 2,780 
			 2003 3,460 20 770 2,650 
			 2004 3,420 20 870 2,520 
			 2005 3,150 20 880 2,240 
			 2006 3,450 20 1,010 2,410 
		
	
	
		
			  Income support claimants in the Islington, North parliamentary constituency as at February each year, and by age group. 
			   All  Under 18  18-25  26 and over 
			 2002 8,350 70 920 7,360 
			 2003 8,140 50 920 7,180 
			 2004 8,120 60 920 7,140 
			 2005 8,100 50 980 7,070 
			 2006 8,130 50 930 7,150 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Totals may not sum due to rounding. Additionally, for jobseeker's allowance there are a few claimants each year whose age is "unknown" due to recording problems.  3. Income support figures exclude residual minimum income guarantee claimants.  4. Jobseeker's allowance figures are not seasonally adjusted.   Source:  Information Directorate 100 per cent. WPLS

Benefits

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many residents of Islington, North constituency are in receipt of  (a) tax credits,  (b) child tax credits,  (c) state pension and  (d) pension credit; and what the equivalent figures were in each of the last four financial years.

James Purnell: Estimates for tax credits and child tax credits are provided by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Their estimates for 2003-04 and 2004-05 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards, by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 2003-04 and 2004-05 are published in "Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards 2003-04 Geographical Analysis" and the "Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Awards 2004-05 Geographical Analysis". These publications and provisional estimates for the number of in-work families by constituency with tax credit awards as at selected dates in 2005-06 are available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog-stats.htm.
	
		
			  Pension credit recipients( 1) , individual beneficiaries and state pensions recipients as at February each year from 2003-06, Islington, North parliamentary constituency 
			  Thousands 
			   Pension credit total claimants  Pension credit total individual beneficiaries  State pension recipients 
			 February 2006 4.73 5.49 9.09 
			 February 2005 4.68 5.40 9.13 
			 February 2004 4.25 4.93 9.20 
			 February 2003 — — 9.33 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are taken from the WPLS 100 per cent. data.  2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest ten and expressed in thousands. Totals may not sum due to rounding.  3. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.  4. Pension credit claimants are those people who claim pension credit either on behalf of themselves only or on behalf of a household. This number is equal to the number of households in receipt of pension credit.  5. Pension credit individual beneficiary figures count total number of individuals in benefit units where pension credit is in payment. Therefore, each couple benefit unit is counted as two individual beneficiaries.  6. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003.   Source:  JDWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his most recent estimate is of the total administrative cost of the benefit system, broken down by benefit; and what the administrative cost of the benefit system was in 1997.

James Plaskitt: The information requested on total administrative costs is not available in the format requested. The Department has recently commenced the implementation of a new Resource Management System, which when fully commissioned is intended to produce this type of information. DWP has developed an interim solution to provide operational unit costs by benefit for 2004-05, however the administration costs on which the unit costs are based exclude non-recurrent costs, other DWP activities, policy and other central costs. Consequently analysis of total administration costs broken down by benefit is not available.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment including the Employment Service. Therefore data are not available prior to that date.
	In the meantime, the latest available data on total administrative costs, taken from the 2004-05 published accounts of each agency (net of income) are as noted in the following table. Figures for 2005-06 are not yet available.
	
		
			  Agency  2004-05 (£ million outturn 
			 Child Support 326 
			 Appeals Service 66 
			 Jobcentre Plus 3,148 
			 Pension Service 831 
			 Disability and Carers Service (Part Year) 120 
			 Rent Service 39 
		
	
	The administration costs for Jobcentre Plus also include the costs of administering labour market activities. The costs for the Pension Service also include the costs of delivering pensions forecasts.
	The major benefits administered by each Agency are as follows:
	
		
			  Agency  Benefit 
			 Job Centre Plus Jobseekers Allowance 
			  Incapacity Benefit 
			  Income Support 
			  Social Fund 
			 Pension Service State Pension 
			  Pension Credit 
			 Disability and Carers Service Disability Living Allowance 
			  Carers Allowance 
			  Attendance Allowance

Benefits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 30 January,  Official Report, column 253W, on benefits, if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since January.

Anne McGuire: The most recent available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) leavers by destination during periods shown. 
			   IB/ SDA claims ending in the last six months( 1)  IB/SDA claims ending in the last 12 months( 2)  IB/SDA claims ending in the last seven years( 3) 
			 Total Number of claims ending 328,400 681,900 5,138,200 
			 Transfer to other benefits(4) 77,000 161,100 1,273,900 
			 Return to IB/SDA(5) 14,400 30,500 254,800 
			 Reach retirement age or are recorded as moving to state pension 27,000 56,800 421,000 
			 Recorded as death of claimant 11,900 25,600 183,100 
			 Recorded as returned to work(6) 15,300 29,800 159,400 
			 Residual unknown destinations 182,800 378,200 2,845,900 
			 (1) IB/SDA claims ending in the last six months include IB/SDA claims terminating from 1 June 2005 to 30 November 2005. It is not possible to use the latest IB/SDA terminations (February 2006) as it would not give enough data to determine if they transfer to other benefits or return to IB/SDA.  (2) IB/SDA claims ending in the last 12 months include IB/SDA claims terminating from 1 December 2004 to 30 November 2005.  (3) IB/SDA claims ending in the last seven includes IB/SDA claims terminating from 1 December 1998 to 30 November 2005.  (4) Those transferring to other benefits include those moving onto IS/PC, JSA, WFTC, DPTC within 90 days of the IB/SDA claim ending.  (5) Return to IB/SDA includes those claimants who make another claim to IB/SDA within 90 days of their previous claim terminating.  (6) It is known that the number recorded as returning to work underestimates the true situation. It is not possible to determine the number that moved to employment, however the "Destinations of Benefit Leavers 2004" report showed that 62 per cent. of IS, JSA and IB leavers entered employment of 16 hours or more a week. This compares to 61 per cent. in 2003, it is therefore expected that this proportion is fairly consistent over time.   Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred totals may not sum due to rounding.  2. Numbers are based on five per cent samples, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.  3. Destinations of terminated IB/SDA claims are assigned in the priority order shown above.  4. Figures for the "last six months" and "last 12 months" given above will increase significantly following receipt of late notifications.   Source:  Information Directorate, five per cent samples (terminations dataset). 
		
	
	
		
			  Incapacity Benefit (IB) commencements where the claimant had formerly claimed IB in the previous 12 months: Great Britain 
			   All commencements  Commencements with former IB claim in previous 12 months  Percentage 
			 February 2002 173,100 33,300 19.2 
			 February 2003 173,300 32,000 18.5 
			 February 2004 167,400 31,000 18.5 
			 February 2005 155,700 28,500 18.3 
			 February 2006 108,400 21,500 19.9 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.  2. Commencement figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major increases in future quarters.  3. Earlier quarters have been updated to include late notified terminations, including terminations for state pension.   Source:  Information Directorate, five per cent samples (terminations dataset).

Benefits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 30 January 2006,  Official Report, column 246W, on benefits, if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since January.

Anne McGuire: The information for quarters that has become available since January 2006 is in the table.
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit commencements already in receipt of income support by quarter 
			  Thousand and percentage 
			   All incapacity benefit commencements  Those already in receipt of income support  Percentage of all incapacity benefit commencements 
			 August 2005 153.8 15.0 10 
			 November 2005 153.5 14.5 9 
			 February 2006 108.4 9.9 9 
			  Notes:  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 and expressed in thousands.  2. Numbers are based on a five per cent. sample, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. These figures should be used as a guide to the current situation only.  3. Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters. For illustration purposes, total commencements for May 2004 increased by 18 per cent. in the year following their initial release.  4. Income support figures will include a small number of minimum income guarantee and pension credit claimants.  5. Incapacity benefit figures exclude severe disability allowance, since there are no new severe disability allowance commencements.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate five per cent sample.

Benefits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 30 January,  Official Report, column 257W, on benefits, if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since January.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available in the format requested. The most recent, available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) claimants by diagnosis group: Great Britain, February 2006 
			   Number 
			 All diagnoses 2,747,490 
			 Claimants without any diagnosis code on the system 50 
			 Certain Infectious and Parasitic Diseases 20,500 
			 Neoplasms 40,570 
			 Diseases of the Blood and Blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism 4,530 
			 Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases 39,410 
			 Mental and Behavioural Disorders 1,093,110 
			 Diseases of the Nervous System 166,340 
			 Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa 19,620 
			 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process 11,730 
			 Diseases of the Circulatory System 160,720 
			 Diseases of the Respiratory System 63,000 
			 Diseases of the Digestive System 42,500 
			 Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous System 16,530 
			 Diseases of the Musculoskeletal system and Connective Tissue 506,710 
			 Diseases of the Genito-urinary System 19,630 
			 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium 4,360 
			 Certain Conditions Originating in the Perinatal Period 30 
			 Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities 25,370 
			 Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified 322,990 
			 Injury, Poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 153,350 
			 Factors influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services 36,450 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. 'Claimant' figures include all IB/SDA claimants, including IB credits only cases.  3. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, published by the World Health Organisation.   Source:  Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent data

Benefits

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what procedures are followed to consult the next of kin when an application for an appointeeship is made by a social service department for the authority to receive pensions and other benefits due to pensioners and others.

James Purnell: No inquiries are made of the next of kin. Generally social services have either been approached by the family/next of kin to act or there is no immediate family/next of kin who is able or willing to act as appointee. The appointment would be reviewed if the situation changed.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people receiving carers' benefit were affected by the provisions in regulation four of the Social Security benefits up-rating regulations 2006.

Anne McGuire: The requested information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Benefits

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the Government's policy is on the recovery of overpaid housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: The recovery principles for housing benefit and council tax benefit are contained in the housing benefit/council tax benefit overpayments Guide, which can be found on the internet at: www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/manuals/overpay/
	There have also been two administrative circulars, A4/2006 and A13/2006, issued this year, which cover the overpayments regulation changes that were made in April 2006 and a Tribunal of Commissioners' decision covering overpayments policy matters. The guidance given in the circulars will be incorporated into the Guide in a forthcoming update. The circulars can currently be found on the internet at: www.dwp.gov.uk/hbctb/2006/

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what proportion of housing benefit claims subject to the top-rate of non-dependant deduction in 2005-06 income details for the non-dependent were provided to the benefit authority.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of housing benefit claims there were in which the application of a non-dependant deduction from the housing benefit claim brought the household below the poverty line in 2005-06.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the ratio of claims for incapacity benefit and its predecessors to claims for jobseeker's allowance and its predecessors was in each year since 1976-77.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Sickness benefit, invalidity benefit, incapacity benefit, severe disablement benefit, unemployment benefit, jobseeker's allowance claimant count in Great Britain 
			   SB/IVB/IB/SDA claimants  JSA claimants  IB claimants as a proportion of JSA claimants 
			 June 1977 1,108,300 1,100,300 1.01 
			 June 1978 1,241,800 1,087,200 1.14 
			 June 1979 1,262,500 1,006,400 1.25 
			 May 1980 1,236,400 1,154,000 1.07 
			 May 1981 1,225,400 2,025,900 0.60 
			 May 1982 1,345,000 2,374,100 0.57 
			 April 1983 1,346,700 2,635,600 0.51 
			 March 1984 1,263,900 2,748,600 0.46 
			 March 1985 1,326,500 2,867,200 0.46 
			 April 1986 1,398,200 2,956,300 0.47 
			 April 1987 1,415,400 2,789,600 0.51 
			 April 1988 1,538,700 2,250,300 0.68 
			 April 1989 1,667,100 1,715,500 0.97 
			 March 1990 1,802,900 1,488,000 1.21 
			 March 1991 1,972,000 1,982,600 0.99 
			 April 1992 2,199,700 2,561,600 0.86 
			 April 1993 2,430,100 2,821,000 0.86 
			 April 1994 2,578,700 2,577,400 1.00 
			 April 1995 2,755,100 2,231,000 1.23 
			 February 1996 2,850,500 2,119,300 1.34 
			 February 1997 2,837,100 1,684,800 1.68 
			 February 1998 2,809,000 1,321,400 2.13 
			 February 1999 2,740,500 1,248,900 2.19 
			 February 2000 2,724,000 1,108,500 2.46 
			 February 2001 2,792,000 959,000 2.91 
			 February 2002 2,787,200 914,100 3.05 
			 February 2003 2,818,600 907,900 3.10 
			 February 2004 2,819,200 855,900 3.29 
			 February 2005 2,799,900 789,900 3.54 
			 February 2006 2,747,500 896,700 3.06 
			  Notes:  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.  2. Data are taken from one per cent and five per cent samples, and 100 per cent WPLS data five per cent samples have been uprated.  3. JSA figures are based on seasonally adjusted figures and only include claimants aged 18 & over.  4. JSA replaced Unemployment Benefit and Income Support for the unemployed in October 1996.  5. IB replaced Sickness/Invalidity Benefit in April 1995.   Source:  Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). Information Directorate, five per cent samples. 100 per cent Count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus Computer Systems.

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many recipients of incapacity benefits were receiving  (a) full-time education and  (b) part-time education in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many students meet the qualifying criteria as a disabled student; and how many are in receipt of  (a) income support and  (b) incapacity benefit.

James Plaskitt: The information is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Benefits

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on legal action on backdated widowers benefit  (a) in the domestic courts and  (b) before the European Court; and how much his Department has spent on agreed settlements in lieu of backdated widowers benefit.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 6 November 2006
	The information can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Child Support

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost of inviting existing claimants of child support to reapply under the new system;
	(2)  whether Sir David Henshaw has reported on the policy and implementation issues arising from his first report;
	(3)  when he expects to bring forward legislation to remove the requirement that all parents with care claiming benefit be treated as applying for child maintenance;
	(4)  when he expects to confirm details of the increase in child maintenance disregard;
	(5)  when he expects to publish the White Paper on the Child Support Agency; and when he expects to publish the responses to his consultation on the agency;
	(6)  what estimate he has made of the annual running costs of  (a) two agencies in tandem and  (b) three systems of claims in relation to handling child support cases;
	(7)  when the consultation on a possible charging regime for using the new child support system will  (a) be established and  (b) conclude.

James Plaskitt: We are currently developing plans for introducing a new system of child support. As part of this we are considering the most cost effective way of moving to, and administering, the new system, the level of the disregard, and the role of any charging.
	We are carrying out an intensive programme of work to determine the way forward and plan to publish detailed proposals in a White Paper later this year. This will include details of the responses to the consultation which ended on 18 September.

Child Support

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in what proportion of Child Support Agency cases non-resident parents who owe maintenance have  (a) made no payments in the last six months; and  (b) never made any payments.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 7 November 2006:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in what proportion of Child Support Agency cases non-resident parents who owe maintenance have (a) made no payments in the last six months, and (b) never made any payments.
	In the six months to June 2006, 69% of cases where maintenance was due had either received a payment via the collection service or had a Maintenance Direct arrangement in place. 31% of cases had received no payments.
	Unfortunately it is not possible to provide information for part (b) for the Old Scheme as the data only goes back to August 1995 and is therefore incomplete. However, in the month ending June 2006, the Agency had received payments from 74 per cent of cases on the new scheme where maintenance payments were due, via the collection service, or cases had Maintenance Direct arrangement in place. 26 per cent of current new scheme cases have never received any payments.
	I hope you find this answer useful.

Child Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Child Support Agency will be closed; who the chief executive will be of the new agency; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: We are currently developing plans for introducing a new system of child support. As part of this we are considering the most cost effective way of creating and moving to a new organisation to manage future claims for child support.
	We are carrying out an intensive programme of work to determine the way forward and plan to publish detailed proposals in a White Paper later this year.

Child Support

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that the Child Support Agency takes into account dividend payments for the calculation of child maintenance payments; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: In April 2005, we amended Regulation 19 of the Child Support (Variations) Regulations, which apply to the new child support scheme, following representations by hon. Members, to enable dividend income paid to directors who controlled a company to be taken into account, when the payment exceeded a value of £100 a week. We believe that this change is a sufficient recognition of dividend income.
	We have no further plans to alter the way in which dividend income is taken into account in the current child support schemes.

Child Support

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment the Child Support Agency makes of the lifestyle of a non-resident parent and the expected level of income to fund that lifestyle to assess whether child maintenance payment is appropriate and commensurate with the non-resident parent's lifestyle and income.

James Plaskitt: In both the old and new child support schemes a parent with care can apply for a departure from or variation to the maintenance calculation in cases where the non-resident parent seems to have a lifestyle which requires an income substantially higher than the amount of income that has been used in the maintenance calculation.

Departmental Publications

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the publications his Department has issued since 1 July 2005, giving the  (a) circulation,  (b) cost and  (c) title of each publication.

Anne McGuire: This reply includes all departmental publications included within the UK Official Publication Bibliography published by the Stationery Office.
	Costs and circulation figures are as follows:
	
		
			  Title  Copies  Cost (£)  Date 
			 Annual Report on the Social Fund 2004-05 350 3,502 20 July 2005 
			 International Labour Conference: Human Resources Development: Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Recommendation 2004 (195) 228 1,574 12 October 2005 
			 The Social Security (Work Focused Interviews) Amendment Regulations 2005 86 2,524 10 October 2005 
			 Opportunity for All 7th Annual Report 4,500 69,024 17 October 2005 
			 Autumn Performance Report 1,000 15,698 15 December 2005 
			 A new deal for welfare: empowering people to work 7,000 78,898 24 January 2006 
			 Report by Govt Actuary on drafts of the Social Security Benefits Uprating Order 2006 and the Social Security(Contributions) (Re-rating and National Insurance Funds Payments) Order 2006 68 1,400 26 January 2006 
			 Occupational and personal pension schemes: review of certain contracting-out terms 32 1,250 15 March 2006 
			 Departmental Report 1,000 24,917 11 May 2006 
			 Security in retirement towards a new pensions system 7,000 109,785 25 May 2006 
			 Annual Report on the Social Fund 2005-06 250 3,086 20 July 2006 
			 A new deal for welfare: empowering people to work 1,000 18,752 19 June 2006 
			 Third Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee session 2005-06 on Incapacity Benefits and Pathways to Work 810 4,117 19 June 2006 
			 Recovering child support: routes to responsibility 3,200 45,788 24 July 2006 
			 A fresh start child support redesign: reply by the Government 3,400 15,679 24 July 2006

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many redundancies there were in his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each such year; how many temporary staff were employed in each such year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to the Department in each such year.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 bringing together the former Department of Social Security and the former Employment Service.
	The number of staff full-time equivalent (FTE) staff leaving the Department on all types of early release schemes and under inefficiency dismissal with compensation in each complete financial year since its formation is in the following table. The costs of all these types of releases have been included in the figures below since the costs arising from the dismissals cases are not separately identifiable.
	
		
			   Expenditure (£ million)  Number of staff (FTE) 
			 2002-03 19.43 271 
			 2003-04 16.12 318 
			 2004-05 14.91 930 
			 2005-06 138.3 3,143 
			 Total 188.6 4,662 
			  Notes:  1. The figures do not include the provisions made in the accounts for costs associated with staff approved for early release in 2006-07.  2. Costs include the ongoing costs in respect of early releases dating from 1997-98 in the Benefits Agency, part of the Department of Social Security. 
		
	
	The number of temporary staff employed at 31 March in each year is shown in the following table. The figures are full-time equivalent.
	
		
			   Number of temporary staff (FTE) 
			 31 March 2003 2,685 
			 31 March 2004 4,381 
			 31 March 2005 2,023 
			 31 March 2006 1,419 
		
	
	Information is not available on the numbers of people seconded by outside organisations to within the Department.

Deprivation Cycle

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Department's "Opportunity for all" report 2006, column 6915-I, what the evidential basis is for the statement in the foreword on the cycle of deprivation in 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: The evidential basis is set out in the Government's annual report "Opportunity for all", columns 6915-I and II. The indicators within "Opportunity for all" are wide-ranging and designed to monitor progress on poverty and social exclusion. This year's report reveals that 40 of the 59 indicators have moved in the right direction since the baseline of 1997.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he has given to local authorities on the use of discretionary housing payments to sustain tenants in the privately rented housing sector.

James Plaskitt: General guidance on the operation of the discretionary housing payment was issued to local authorities in March 2001.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the future of discretionary housing payments.

James Plaskitt: Ministers have had no discussions with the Department for Communities and Local Government on the future of discretionary housing payments. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

Employment Programme Centres

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department provided for employment programme centres in each county in England and Wales in each year for which figures are available.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking about the funding provided by Jobcentre Plus for employment programme centres in each county in England and Wales in each year for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus does not collect or retain financial data at county level. However I am able to provide the amount of funding for programme centre provision in Great Britain in each of the following years:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2002-03 16.1 
			 2003-04 19.4 
			 2004-05 21.4 
			 2005-06 13.8 
			 2006-07 (1)14.0 
			 (1 )budget for current year 
		
	
	The amount of funding for 2005-06 and the allocation for 2006-07 are available by region in the following table.
	
		
			  Region  2005-06  2006-07 
			 East Midlands 0.2 0.9 
			 East of England 0.8 1.0 
			 London 2.2 2.3 
			 North East 0.6 0.8 
			 North West 0.6 1.9 
			 Scotland 3.1 1.6 
			 South East 1.6 1.2 
			 South West 1.1 0.8 
			 Wales 1.7 0.8 
			 West Midlands 1.4 1.4 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 0.5 1.3 
			 Total 13.8 14.0

Employment Programme Centres

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what criteria his Department uses to evaluate bids to provide employment programme centres;
	(2)  whether his Department has measures in place to ensure that large contractors are not favoured over smaller contractors when bidding to provide employment programme centres.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking what criteria his Department uses to evaluate bids to provide employment programme centres and whether his Department has measures in place to ensure that large contractors are not favoured over smaller contractors when bidding to provide them. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The evaluation criteria for the recent bids to run Programme Centres were, in priority order:
	experience and performance;
	knowledge of customer groups and their needs;
	knowledge and experience of working with employers;
	knowledge and experience of the district/region;
	involvement and links with local organisations;
	proposals for delivery;
	organisation infrastructure, management and capacity;
	human resource;
	quality standards and evaluation;
	implementation plan to delivery;
	premises and facilities;
	record keeping and administration;
	marketing and referrals
	Bids for all our contracts are evaluated by qualified procurement professionals strictly on their merits; there is no presumption in favour of large organisations over smaller ones.
	Jobcentre Plus actively encourages an innovative and competitive marketplace and works with larger providers to ensure that they understand the need to achieve diversity in the service delivery for all of our provision, including Programme Centres. To ensure that optimum use is made of the specialist services offered by smaller providers we facilitate the interface between contractors and sub-contractors through a variety of means, including discussions with trade associations, and notices placed on the Jobcentre Plus website www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk (Partners page).
	As part of the tender evaluation process, we ask bidders to tell us how they will fully meet the varied needs of all customers; it is generally unlikely that any one provider could adequately demonstrate their ability to meet all of these needs without some specialist support. We also ask providers to give details of all their sub-contractors in their tenders and we take into account the skills and experience of the sub-contractors during the tender assessment process.
	I hope this is helpful.

Family/Household Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of children lived in families in each income decile in each year since 1975-76; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in "Households Below Average Income 1994-95-2004-05". The survey from which estimates are provided started in 1994-95. There are no suitable data source for years prior to 1994-95.
	Deciles are income values which divide households, when ranked by income, into ten equal-sized groups. No matter what the shape of the income distribution, or how well off or poor people are, there will always be 10 per cent. of the whole population in the bottom decile, just as there will always be 10 per cent. of the whole population in the top decile; and this will be the case in every year.
	The low income threshold is 60 per cent. of median income (Before Housing Costs). This particular threshold is an internationally accepted measure and in Great Britain is almost always in the 2nd decile. Therefore children can be moved above the low income threshold, but still remain in the 2nd decile, and so there will be no change in the figures showing decile distributions from year to year.
	Estimates of the proportion of children living in families in each income decile in each year 1994-95 to 2004-05, are in the following tables. Figures are shown Before and After Housing Costs.
	
		
			  Percentage of children by the income decile of their household—Great Britain, 1994-95 to 2004-05—Before Housing Costs 
			   Decile 
			   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 
			 1994-95 12 14 11 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 1995-96 12 13 12 10 11 10 9 8 7 7 
			 1996-97 13 14 11 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 1997-98 13 14 12 11 11 10 8 8 7 6 
			 1998-99 13 14 12 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 1999-2000 12 14 12 11 10 10 9 8 6 6 
			 2000-01 11 14 13 11 11 10 9 8 7 7 
			 2001-02 11 14 13 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 2002-03 11 13 13 11 11 10 9 8 7 7 
			 2003-04 11 13 12 11 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 2004-05 12 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 
		
	
	
		
			  Percentage of children by the income decile of their household—Great Britain, 1994-95 to 2004-05—After Housing Costs 
			   Decile 
			   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 
			 1994-95 12 15 11 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 
			 1995-96 13 15 11 11 11 10 9 8 6 6 
			 1996-97 13 16 11 11 11 10 9 7 7 6 
			 1997-98 13 15 11 11 11 10 9 7 6 6 
			 1998-99 14 15 12 11 11 10 8 7 7 6 
			 1999-2000 13 15 12 11 11 10 9 7 6 6 
			 2000-01 12 15 12 12 11 10 8 7 6 6 
			 2001-02 12 15 12 12 11 10 9 7 6 6 
			 2002-03 12 14 12 11 11 9 9 8 7 6 
			 2003-04 12 15 11 12 11 10 9 8 6 6 
			 2004-05 12 15 12 12 11 10 8 8 6 6 
			  Notes:  1. Deciles shown here represent groups of the child population in Great Britain. The lowest decile group is the 10 per cent. of the population with the lowest household incomes. The second decile group contains children whose household incomes are above the lowest decile point but below the second decile point. Successive deciles follow similarly.  2. The percentages by decile are based on the equivalised incomes of households with children. Equivalisation is the process by which the household income is adjusted for size and composition as a proxy for material living standards.  3. All estimates are subject to sampling error and response bias and small changes between years may be influenced by these.  4. Percentages may not sum to 100 per cent. across a year, due to rounding.   Source:  Family Resources Survey

Family/Household Incomes

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income is of households in social rented accommodation in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) each London borough.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available below the level of Government Office Region.
	The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  The median income of households in social rented accommodation( 1)  in England and each English region (2004-05 prices) 
			  £ per week equivalent 
			   Before housing costs  After housing costs 
			 England 221 171 
			 North East 206 166 
			 North West 217 173 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 215 176 
			 East Midlands 216 169 
			 Eastern 226 177 
			 London 232 177 
			 South East 237 178 
			 South West 226 174 
			 (1) Social rented accommodation is defined as those living in local authority, New Town, Council, Housing Association, Co-Op or Trust rented accommodation.   Note:  All estimates are calculated using a three year average.   Source:  Family Resources Survey 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the housing benefit run-on to people leaving jobseeker's allowance.

James Plaskitt: Customers in receipt of income-based jobseeker's allowance who move into work and fulfil the necessary conditions are eligible for an extended payment. There are currently no plans to widen entitlement to the existing schemes.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people  (a) claimed jobseeker's allowance and  (b) attended a mandatory skills course in each financial year from 2003-04 to 2005-06.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested. The available information is in the following table; there are no mandatory skills courses linked to jobseeker's allowance.
	
		
			  Jobseeker's allowance claimants in Great Britain 
			   Number 
			  2003  
			 April 902,100 
			 May 912,500 
			 June 912,100 
			 July 905,600 
			 August 898,500 
			 September 893,800 
			 October 887,300 
			 November 878,900 
			 December 872,000 
			   
			  2004  
			 January 863,700 
			 February 855,900 
			 March 848,300 
			 April 840,100 
			 May 826,900 
			 June 817,100 
			 July 807,300 
			 August 805,600 
			 September 805,900 
			 October 804,500 
			 November 800,500 
			 December 796,800 
			   
			  2005  
			 January 790,500 
			 February 789,900 
			 March 802,500 
			 April 810,400 
			 May 825,500 
			 June 834,600 
			 July 837,900 
			 August 841,100 
			 September 851,200 
			 October 863,000 
			 November 872,700 
			 December 879,500 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 876,900 
			 February 896,700 
			 March 909,500 
			  Notes: 1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest 100. 2. JSA figures are seasonally adjusted.  Source: Count of jobseeker's allowance claimants, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.

Local Housing Allowance

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates his Department has made of the impact of changing the definition for determining the local housing allowance from the mid point of local rents to the median on  (a) the percentage of claimants facing a shortfall between their eligible and contractual rent and  (b) the average size of that shortfall.

James Plaskitt: Any shortfall between the local housing allowance and contractual rent at the time of national roll-out of the local housing allowance will depend on the trends in local rent levels and the accommodation choices made by tenants. The trends in local rent levels up to the point of national roll-out are currently hard to predict and local housing allowance rates will vary across local private rent sector markets and different sizes of property.
	However, we estimate that the majority of new claimants at roll-out will gain under the proposed national local housing allowance compared with what they would have been entitled to under the current housing benefit rules.

Lyons Review

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobs in his Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for relocation of staff under this programme.

Anne McGuire: The basis of the Department's relocation strategy resulting from the Lyons' review is to relocate posts rather than people. Decisions to where posts should be relocated have been made to make best use of existing capacity within the Departmental estate.
	While it is not possible to give an accurate response on the number of occasions that Liverpool has been considered for relocation of posts, the following table shows the occasions that posts have actually been relocated from London and the South East to Liverpool and to elsewhere between 1 June 2003 and 31 October 2006:
	
		
			  Posts relocated to:  Number 
			 Liverpool 443 
			 Elsewhere 3459

Means-Testing

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of ending the means test for income-based jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: We have made no such estimate.

Mortgage Interest Relief

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department will process the mortgage interest relief benefit claim which Mr. Thompson of Great Headline Crescent, Paignton submitted in May 2005.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	You recently tabled the following Parliamentary Question:
	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when his Department will process the mortgage interest relief benefit claim which Mr Thompson of Great Headline Crescent Paignton submitted in May 2005.
	The Secretary of State asked me to reply to your question and, in that reply, I promised to write to you directly concerning your constituent Mr Thompson of Headline Crescent, Paignton.
	I should begin by explaining that mortgage interest relief benefit is not a stand-alone benefit, but forms part of a customer's entitlement to Income Support (IS). In cases where a customer's mortgage was taken out after October 1995, they would not ordinarily qualify for assistance with their mortgage interest payments for the first 39 weeks of their claim.
	Mr Thompson claimed IS on 24 May 2006. When his claim was assessed we decided that he was not entitled to IS at this time as without his mortgage interest payments being taken into account his household income exceeded his IS entitlement.
	Following your enquiry we reviewed Mr Thompson's claim and found that we had overlooked the fact that he had a current claim for Incapacity Benefit dating from 8 May 2005 for which he was receiving National Insurance credits. The effect of this claim was that his mortgage interest payments should have been taken into account from the start of the claim to IS he made on 24 May 2006. I have asked for Mr Thompson's entitlement to be reviewed to establish if he now qualifies for IS or mortgage interest relief from this date, and I am sorry for any inconvenience or distress Mr Thompson has been caused.
	When Mr Thompson submitted his claim for IS on 24 May 2006 he requested that we consider backdating this to 9 May 2005. We wrote to Mr Thompson on 27 July 2006 requesting further information to enable us to consider this request. However, we did not receive the information requested. We therefore asked him again to supply this information on 1 November. When we receive the necessary information we will consider Mr Thompson's claim with the utmost priority and notify him accordingly.
	I hope this is helpful.

Obesity

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 9 January 2006,  Official Report, column 93W, to my hon. Friend the Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on obesity, if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since January.

Anne McGuire: Information is only available on those claiming incapacity benefits whose primary diagnosis is obesity. The available information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit (IB), severe disablement allowance (SDA) and income support with a disability premium (ISDP); working-age expenditure on people suffering from obesity 
			  £ million—real terms (2006-07 prices) 
			   Obesity—IB/SDA/ISDP expenditure  Total—IB/SDA and ISDP expenditure  Obesity as a percentage of IB/SDA/ISDP expenditure 
			 2000-01 8 13,413 0.06 
			 2001-02 8 13,530 0.06 
			 2002-03 8 13,051 0.06 
			 2003-04 8 12,888 0.07 
			 2004-05 8 12,675 0.07 
			 2005-06 9 12,392 0.07 
		
	
	
		
			  Incapacity benefit (IB), severe disablement allowance (SDA) and income support with a disability premium (ISDP); working-age expenditure on people suffering from obesity 
			  £ million—nominal terms 
			   Obesity—IB/SDA/ISDP expenditure  Total—IB/SDA and ISDP expenditure  Obesity as a percentage of IB/SDA/ISDP expenditure 
			 2000-01 7 11,566 0.06 
			 2001-02 7 11,955 0.06 
			 2002-03 8 11,899 0.06 
			 2003-04 8 12,057 0.07 
			 2004-05 8 12,120 0.07 
			 2005-06 9 12,096 0.07 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are consistent with the historical out-turn expenditure figures published in the DWP's benefit expenditure which can be found on the Department for Work and Pensions website at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp  2. Expenditure has been apportioned using data on conditions of IB and SDA recipients from the IB 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.  3. Expenditure refers to the total expenditure directed at working-age adults and any child dependants from IB, SDA and ISDP for those in receipt of IB or SDA.  4. Diagnoses are coded in accordance with the International Classification of Disease (10th edition), published by the World Health Organisation.  5. Figures are rounded to the nearest million pounds.  6. Figures are of working-age claimants only.  7. Real-terms figures are in 2006-07 prices.  8. Expenditure for 2005-06 reflects the latest estimate of out-turn, and not the amounts voted by Parliament.  9. All figures relate to expenditure in Great Britain only.

Opinion Polling

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost has been of opinion polling conducted for his Department in each year from 1996-97 to 2005-06; what the expenditure has been so far in 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: My Department carried out limited annual public attitude omnibus surveys between 2001 and 2004. In 2005, in order to make the findings more robust, an increased number of new attitude statements were tested among the public prior to being included in omnibus research. In 2005 we also conducted a piece of research to monitor public awareness of the Department and its responsibilities.
	
		
			   Cost (£) 
			 2001 -Public Attitudes - Wave 1 9,350 
			 2002 - Public Attitudes - Wave 2 9,600 
			 2003 - Public Attitudes - Wave 3 10,450 
			 2004 - Public Attitudes - Wave 4 11,100 
			 2005 - Public Attitudes Public Awareness - Wave 5 and New 1 86,000 
			 2006 - Public Attitudes 50,000 
			 2007 Unavailable at this time 
			 Total 160,600

Opinion Polling

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what issues his Department has conducted opinion polling since 2005; what the cost has been in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The information is as follows:
	 Omnibus Survey Research
	My Department conducted annual omnibus surveys to monitor public attitudes to the Government's welfare reform programme in 2005 and 2006. In addition, a further piece of research was conducted in 2005 to monitor public awareness of the Department and its responsibilities.
	In 2005 the cost of the public attitudes survey was £43,000 and public awareness survey was £43,000. The cost of the public attitudes survey in 2006 was £50,000.

Pathways to Work

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 28 October 2005,  Official Report, column 610W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since October 2005.

Jim Murphy: Of the 255,640 Pathways participants to the end of June 2006, there are only 159,080 for whom medical condition information is currently available. Of these 63,600 (40 per cent.) are classified as having a mental or behavioural disorder.
	There have been 6,160 Pathways job entries for participants classified as having a mental or behavioural disorder.
	Information is not available on the number of hours worked for Pathways job entries.
	 Source
	Pathways to Work Evaluation Database. (Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.)

Pathways to Work

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 14 November 2005,  Official Report, columns 1008-09W, to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field), on Pathways to Work, if he will provide the figures collected by his Department since November 2005.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the tables.
	
		
			  Number of incapacity benefit claims that have been terminated in the UK excluding Pathways to Work pilot areas 
			  Quarter ending  All terminations  Terminations outside Pathways to Work areas  Percentage of terminations outside Pathways to Work areas 
			 November 2003 180,300 172,900 95.9 
			 February 2004 165,500 158,500 95.8 
			 May 2004 168,200 150,900 89.7 
			 August 2004 170,200 152,800 89.8 
			 November 2004 170,000 153,900 90.6 
			 February 2005 169,100 153,100 90.5 
			 May 2005 171,000 155,800 91.1 
			 August 2005 158,600 144,600 91.2 
			 November 2005 158,100 143,700 90.9 
			 February 2006 110,400 99,900 90.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of severe disability allowance claims that have been terminated in the UK excluding Pathways to Work pilot areas 
			  Quarter ending  All terminations  Terminations outside Pathways to Work areas  Percentage of terminations outside Pathways to Work areas 
			 November 2003 3,500 3,400 97.7 
			 February 2004 2,800 2,700 93.7 
			 May 2004 2,400 2,200 91.7 
			 August 2004 2,900 2,800 97.9 
			 November 2004 2,600 2,400 93.0 
			 February 2005 3,000 2,800 92.1 
			 May 2005 2,500 2,300 92.9 
			 August 2005 3,200 2,800 87.6 
			 November 2005 2,800 2,600 91.4 
			 February 2006 1,200 1,100 88.5 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. Percentages are shown to one decimal place.  2. Figures for the latest quarter do not include any late notifications and are subject to major changes in future quarters.  3. Earlier quarters have been updated to include late notified terminations, including terminations for state pension.  4. Pathways to work pilot areas were introduced in October 2003 and updated in April 2004. The areas relevant to each quarter have been used ie Bridgend, Renfrewshire and Derbyshire for all quarters, plus Gateshead and South Tyneside, Somerset, Essex and East Lancashire from quarter ending May 2004.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate, 5 per cent. samples.

Pension Age Addition

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each constituency in the East Midlands receive the retirement pension age addition for those aged 80 years or over.

James Purnell: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  State pension age addition recipients 
			  Parliamentary constituency  Number 
			 Amber Valley 4,300 
			 Ashfield 4,400 
			 Bassetlaw 3,700 
			 Blaby 3,900 
			 Bolsover 4,300 
			 Boston and Skegness 5,200 
			 Bosworth 4,600 
			 Broxtowe 4,600 
			 Charnwood 4,300 
			 Chesterfield 4,900 
			 Corby 3,900 
			 Daventry 4,200 
			 Derby North 4,400 
			 Derby South 4,100 
			 Erewash 4,700 
			 Gainsborough 4,400 
			 Gedling 4,400 
			 Grantham and Stamford 4,200 
			 Harborough 4,400 
			 High Peak 4,500 
			 Kettering 4,900 
			 Leicester East 3,200 
			 Leicester South 3,100 
			 Leicester West 3,100 
			 Lincoln 4,000 
			 Loughborough 3,800 
			 Louth and Horncastle 5,400 
			 Mansfield 4,200 
			 Newark 4,600 
			 North East Derbyshire 4,100 
			 North West Leicestershire 4,400 
			 Northampton North 3,900 
			 Northampton South 4,400 
			 Nottingham East 3,000 
			 Nottingham North 4,000 
			 Nottingham South 3,300 
			 Rushcliffe 5,600 
			 Rutland and Melton 5,000 
			 Sherwood 4,400 
			 Sleaford and North Hykeham 5,300 
			 South Derbyshire 4,800 
			 South Holland and the Deepings 5,200 
			 Wellingborough 4,500 
			 West Derbyshire 5,700 
			  Notes:  1. Data are taken from the five per cent. extract of the Pension Service Computer System as at September 2005, and the figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation. They are also adjusted to be consistent with the overall case load from the Work and Pension Longitudinal Study.  2. The figures are rounded to the nearest 100.  3. The boundaries of parliamentary constituencies do not correspond exactly to Government office regions (GOR). As a result, small areas of some parliamentary constituencies listed lie outside the geographical boundaries of East Midlands GOR.   Source: Department for Work and Pensions, Information Directorate.

Pension Credit

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the number of UK pensioners  (a) entitled to pension credit and  (b) receiving pension credit, broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available in the format requested. Estimates of eligibility are not available below the level of Great Britain.
	The latest estimates of the number of pensioners in Great Britain entitled to pension credit were published in "Pension Credit Estimates of Take-Up in 2004/2005". A copy of the report is available in the Library.
	The latest estimates of the number of recipients of pension credit by Government Office Region are in the table.
	In Northern Ireland pension credit administration is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  Number of pensioners receiving pension credit by Government Office Region, May 2006 
			  Region  Household recipients 
			 All Great Britain 2,718,080 
			 North East 157,360 
			 North West 357,710 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 261,710 
			 East Midlands 196,150 
			 West Midlands 279,490 
			 East of England 224,050 
			 London 290,380 
			 South East 282,440 
			 South West 224,860 
			 Wales 161,310 
			 Scotland 282,620 
			  Notes: 1. These figures are early estimates. The preferred data source for figures supplied by DWP is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). However, the figures provided are the latest available figures which are taken from the GMS scan at 26 May 2006. These are adjusted using the historical relationship between WPLS and GMS data to give an estimate of the final WPLS figure. 2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 3. Government Office Regions are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory. 4. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.  Source:  DWP 100 per cent. data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) Pension Credit scan taken as at 26 May 2006.

Pension Credit

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of administering pension credit in each year since its introduction.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.
	I refer the hon. Gentleman to the response I gave on 18 April 2006,  Official Report, column 431W.

Pension Protection Fund

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension schemes have entered the Pension Protection Fund.

James Purnell: No pension schemes are yet being paid compensation by the Pension Protection Fund. At 29 September 2006 however, there were 111 individual Pension schemes in a PPF assessment period.

Pensioner Benefit Checks

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of carrying out home visits to pensioners to offer a full benefit check in 2006-07.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.

Pensioner Benefit Checks

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on home visits to pensioners for benefit checks in each year since 1997-98; how many such home visits have taken place over that period; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available.

Pensioner Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what level of income a UK single pensioner needed in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07 to avoid being in relative poverty.

James Purnell: The figures are not available for 2005-06 or 2006-07. The first year's information for the UK will be available in the Households Below Average Income 2005-06 publication, which is due for release in spring 2007.

Pensioner Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the UK were living in relative poverty in each year from 1976 to 2006; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: Information that is available can be found in the publication "Households Below Average Income 1994-95-2004-05."

Pensioner Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the proportion of pensioners who will be in relative poverty, assuming no change in the take-up of pension credit, in  (a) 2005-06,  (b) 2010-11,  (c) 2020-21 and  (d) 2030-31; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The information requested is not available. Figures for 2005-06 will be published in the Households Below Average Income 2005-06 report, which is due for release in spring 2007. The Government do not publish forward projections of relative poverty rates because of the number of modelling uncertainties involved.
	Due to the measures we have taken since 1997, including the introduction of pension credit, pensioner poverty rates in Great Britain are currently at historically low levels, even while the country has been enjoying economic prosperity which traditionally benefits working age incomes relative to pensioner incomes. The effects of our proposed pension reforms are set out in the White Paper: "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system" (Cm 6841). This includes securing the gains we have made against pensioner poverty into the future, through our commitment to continue uprating the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit with earnings into the long term.

Pensioner Incomes

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking  (a) to reduce and  (b) to eliminate pensioner poverty.

James Purnell: The Government have introduced a suite of measures since 1997 to help older people enjoy a better standard of living, most notably the introduction of the minimum income guarantee and then pension credit; the creation of a dedicated Pension Service to improve service delivery and actively promote take-up of entitlements; above-inflation increases in the basic state pension; winter fuel payments for people over 60; and free television licences for people over 75. The value of the safetynet we provide for the poorest pensioners has increased by a third in real terms since 1997.
	Between 1996-97 and 2004-05 the number of pensioners in Great Britain in relative low income, after housing costs, has fallen by over a third, from 2.8 million to 1.8 million. Once housing costs are accounted for, a pensioner today is now less likely to be in low income than any one else in society.
	The White Paper "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system" (Cm 6841) announced our commitment to secure these gains into the future by uprating both the basic state pension and the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit in line with earnings over the long term.

Pensioners

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) female and  (b) male pensioners there are in each parliamentary constituency in Wales.

James Purnell: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  Parliamentary constituencies  Male  Female 
			 Aberavon 5,110 8,330 
			 Alyn and Deeside 5,330 8,790 
			 Blaenau Gwent 4,970 8,400 
			 Brecon and Radnorshire 6,490 10,140 
			 Bridgend 6,290 10,440 
			 Caernarfon 4,960 8,520 
			 Caerphilly 5,690 9,450 
			 Cardiff, Central 3,700 6,190 
			 Cardiff, North 5,730 9,960 
			 Cardiff, South and Penarth 5,680 9,110 
			 Cardiff, West 4,710 8,120 
			 Carmarthen, East and Dinefwr 6,340 10,120 
			 Camarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire 6,490 10,490 
			 Ceredigion 6,130 9,670 
			 Clwyd, South 5,070 8,440 
			 Clwyd, West 6,710 11,120 
			 Conwy 5,950 10,120 
			 Cynon Valley 4,430 7,720 
			 Delyn 5,210 8,470 
			 Gower 6,570 10,780 
			 Islwyn 4,740 7,910 
			 Llanelli 6,290 10,350 
			 Meirionnydd Nant Conwy 3,980 6,460 
			 Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney 5,000 8,330 
			 Monmouth 7,070 11,790 
			 Montgomeryshire 5,220 7,960 
			 Neath 5,520 9,320 
			 Newport, East 5,180 8,190 
			 Newport, West 5,690 9,580 
			 Ogmore 4,590 7,590 
			 Pontypridd 5,710 9,610 
			 Preseli Pembrokeshire 6,290 10,000 
			 Rhondda 5,340 9,020 
			 Swansea, East 5,200 8,450 
			 Swansea, West 5,850 9,550 
			 Torfaen 5,390 9,100 
			 Vale of Clwyd 6,120 10,170 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 6,950 11,360 
			 Wrexham 4,600 7,950 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are as at February, 2006 and have been rounded to the nearest 10 with extra built-in protection to protect identity.  2. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant Office for National Statistics postcode directory.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the 170,000 private sector employers listed as offering employer pension contributions worth at least 3 per cent. of gross salary in table 1.xiii of the Pensions White Paper, "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system" use automatic enrolment; and how many employees work for  (a) those who use and  (b) those who do not use automatic enrolment.

James Purnell: There is no official statistic of the number requested. However the Department has estimated, using data from the Employers Pension Provision Survey (2005) and Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Statistics (2004), that about 3 per cent (5,500 employers rounded to the nearest 100) of the 170,000 private sector employers listed as offering employer pension contributions worth at least 3 per cent. of gross salary in table 1 .xiii of the Pensions White Paper "Security in retirement: towards a new pension system" use automatic enrolment into their largest scheme.
	Of the 9.2 million employees that work for employers offering employer pension contributions worth at least 3 per cent. of gross salary we estimate that  (a) about 1.8 million employees work for those who currently use automatic enrolment; and  (b) about 7.3 million employees work for those who do not currently use automatic enrolment.
	Numbers are rounded to two significant figures.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assumptions about pensioner incomes from private saving underpin the projections in figure 9 of his White Paper on Pensions.

James Purnell: Projected incomes from private pension saving are modelled using the Department's Pensim2 microsimulation model. This includes detailed projections of labour market histories, pension scheme membership, contracting-out status and contributions. Incomes from other (non-pension) private saving are assumed to grow broadly in line with earnings. The projections exclude the effect of any increases in private pension provision resulting from the introduction of personal accounts.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assumption about the level of real earnings growth over the period 2006-07 to 2049-50 underpins the calculations in the Pensions White Paper "Security in retirement: towards a new Pensions System".

James Purnell: For the period to 2010-11, the assumptions on earnings growth used in the White Paper are in line with the economic assumptions described in the Budget 2006 Financial Statement and Budget report. For the period beyond 2010-11, real earnings are assumed to increase at 2 per cent. per year.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of people who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 who will, excluding any qualifying years derived from class 3 national insurance contributions, have at least 30 qualifying years but not enough qualifying years to receive a full basic state pension under the present system;
	(2)  how many individuals who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 have paid Class 3 national insurance contributions.

James Purnell: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown as follows:
	There are estimated to be around 1.1 million individuals who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 who have paid Class 3 national insurance contributions for the 2003-04 tax year or an earlier year.
	 Notes:
	1. Figure is rounded to the nearest 100,000, and relates to people estimated to be resident in the UK.
	2. Figure only takes into account Class 3 national insurance contributions paid in or before the 2003-04 tax year. Data after this year is not available.
	3. Figure includes all individuals who will reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010 who have paid at least one Class 3 national insurance contribution in or before the 2003-04 tax year.
	4. Figure does not take into account the effect of deaths, or of people moving abroad, after 2003-04.
	5. Figures are from a 1 per cent. sample and so are subject to sampling variation.
	 Source:
	Lifetime Labour Market Database 2, which is a 1 per cent. sample of national insurance records.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which measure of earnings growth he plans to use  (a) to uprate the basic state pension from 2012 and  (b) to uprate the band of earnings of which contributions to personal accounts will be paid.

James Purnell: The White Paper "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system" states that the earnings link will be restored to the basic state pension. This will be done, subject to affordability and the fiscal position, in 2012 but in any event at the latest by the end of the next Parliament. The restoration of the earnings link together with other state pension reforms will help provide a firm state underpin for the introduction of personal accounts in 2012, which will make it easier for more people to save more for their retirement.
	Assumptions on earnings growth used in the White Paper are in line with economic assumptions described in the Budget 2006 Financial Statement and Budget Report, where earnings are assumed to increase in real terms at a rate of two per cent. per year in the longer term. The Government currently use the calculation of average earnings indices from the Office for National Statistics to uprate social security benefits such as the pension credit standard minimum guarantee. We expect to use average earnings as the index for uprating the basic state pension but will keep the exact measure to be used under review. We will set out our proposals on personal accounts later this year.

Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the net value of state pension and pension credit payments to the median earner illustrated in figure 8 of the White Paper  (a) under current policies and  (b) if the reforms outlined in the Pensions White Paper "Security in Retirement: Towards a new pension system" are implemented.

James Purnell: Under our reforms, more people will be receiving state pensions based on their national insurance records, and there will be a more generous basic state pension due to the restoration of the earnings link. This will provide a solid foundation for private saving. The guarantee credit will continue to provide a safety net and reforms to the savings credit will reduce the spread of means testing and support the savings incentives, which are integral to the reform package.
	For the median earner illustrated in figure 8, and in today's earnings terms:
	 (a) Under current policies, total contributory state pension (basic state pension and state second pension) would be around £100 a week at state pension age, before any deductions for tax. Under a system with an earnings uprated guarantee credit from 2008, a non-saver would also be entitled to claim pension credit worth about £49 a week, while a saver would be entitled to claim pension credit worth about £36 a week, on top of their £34 a week private pension savings. A saver would have a total state and private income, net of pension credit, of around £170 a week at state pension age.
	 (b) Under White Paper reforms, total contributory state pension (basic state pension and state second pension) would be around £139 a week at state pension age (before any deductions for tax). Whether they were a non-saver or a saver their income would be above the qualifying threshold for pension credit, so they would not see any reduction in the net value of state payments if they chose to make private pension savings. Under current assumptions, their private pension savings would be worth £80 a week, giving a saver total state and private income, net of pension credit, of around £219 a week at state pension age.
	 Notes:
	1. Values are forecasts only. They are dependent upon future assumptions of price and earnings growth, and consequently are subject to revision.
	2. Numbers are shown in 2005-06 earnings terms.
	3. Private pension outcomes are forecast using the assumption that under current policy, individuals save using a stakeholder pension at the rate of 3.9 per cent. (the average amount saved currently) and the annual management charge is 1.5 per cent. Under White Paper reforms savings rates are 7 per cent. with a management charge of just 0.5 per cent.
	4. Projections under current policies assume: continued earnings uprating of the standard guarantee credit; continued price uprating of the savings credit threshold; and continued price uprating of the basic state pension.
	5. The White Paper reform projections assume: continued earnings uprating of the standard guarantee credit; earnings uprating of the maximum savings credit from 2008 and then by prices from 2015; earnings uprating of the basic state pension from 2012; measures to improve coverage of the basic state pension described in the White Paper and measures to simplify state second pension from 2012.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the latest date is for the restoration of the link between the basic state pension and earnings under the proposals in the White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

James Purnell: The White Paper "Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system" states that the earnings link will be restored to the basic State pension. the objective is that this will be done, subject to affordability and the fiscal position, in 2012 but in any event at the latest by the end of the next Parliament.

Pensions

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with the Pensions Regulator on the representation of deferred members on the boards of pension funds.

James Purnell: holding answer 31 October 2006
	My officials held discussions with the Pensions Regulator prior to its consultation exercise on its code of practice on Member Nominated Trustees. The consultation exercise included representations about deferred members being eligible to participate in the nominations and selection process.
	The code has been laid before Parliament.

Pensions White Paper

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish a gender impact assessment on the Pensions White Paper.

James Purnell: Subject to the Queen's Speech, we intend to bring forward legislation during the next session of Parliament.
	We are planning to publish a gender impact assessment around the same time as introduction of the legislation. This will be ahead of the statutory requirement to publish gender impact assessments.

Post Office Card Account

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will give a breakdown of the costs incurred to his Department for each type of transaction processed by sub-post offices involving Post Office card accounts; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.
	Detailed information on the costs associated with the Post Office card account is a commercial matter for the Post Office and its suppliers.

Travel Warrants (Fraud)

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will cease the practice of job centres writing their clients' name and national insurance number on warrants issued to them for travel in order to reduce opportunities for identity theft.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Gentleman with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking if he will cease the practice of jobcentres writing their client's name and national insurance number on warrants issued to them for travel in order to reduce opportunities for identity theft. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. Jobcentre Plus's preferred method of dealing with payment of travel expenses is reimbursement of the travel expenses by either cash or cheque, but where the customer is unable to meet the initial travelling expense a travel warrant can be issued in advance.
	When issuing travel warrants, we are not required to enter a National Insurance number and, as an interim measure, a communication will be issued to all staff reminding them to use the customer's name only.
	I share your concern that our processes should protect both customers and the public purse. I have therefore asked my Jobcentre Plus Products and Services Management Division to review our use of National Insurance numbers where there is potential risk of aiding identity fraud.
	I hope this is helpful.

Volunteers

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those volunteering while on benefits are entitled to claim lunch expenses without affecting their benefit entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Volunteering plays an important role in helping people move off benefits and back into work. It gives people confidence, the chance to develop skills and to gain invaluable experience after a period out of work.
	We do not want to create a situation whereby individuals are put off volunteering or are penalised from helping themselves and others because they cannot afford to buy something to eat.
	We have therefore simplified the rules. Meals can now be treated as a reasonable expense which volunteers can claim back so that they are no longer expected to meet the cost of their lunch from their benefit.
	The guidance contained in the volunteers handbook has been revised to reflect the simplified rules. The handbook can be found online at: www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/vg1-2006.pdf

Workless Households

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the relationship between levels of worklessness and rent levels in  (a) social rented housing and  (b) temporary accommodation.

James Plaskitt: We have not made a formal assessment of the links between rents and worklessness.
	We are, along with the Department for Communities and Local Government, involved in the assessment of the working future project that is led by the Greater London Authority; the East Thames Housing Group; and Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Newham local authorities. The working future project is testing the effect that reduced rents and increased access to employment services can have on the incentives for housing benefit claimants in temporary accommodation to find work.

Workless Households

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of households of working age in  (a) social housing and  (b) temporary accommodation were estimated to be in work in each English region in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: Information on the proportion of households of working age in temporary accommodation that are estimated to be in work is not available.
	The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Working age employment rates in social housing 
			  Percentage 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 North East 44 42 41 42 40 
			 North West 42 41 41 42 40 
			 Yorkshire 48 45 46 46 45 
			 East Midlands 47 47 44 48 51 
			 West Midlands 48 45 44 47 45 
			 East of England 58 57 56 35 38 
			 London 44 43 44 43 43 
			 South East 59 59 55 55 55 
			 South West 55 56 54 53 54 
			  Source: Labour Force Survey individual datasets, four-quarterly averages.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Children's Advocacy Services

Frank Field: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the estimated costs were for provision of children's advocacy services by  (a) National Youth Advocacy Service and  (b) Children and Family Court Advisory Service cited in Separate Representation of Children.

Harriet Harman: The latest Legal Services Commission figures for 2005-06 indicate that the average cost of one legally aided party under the age of 18 in Private Law Section 8 Children Act 1989 (cases applying for contact) is at least £3,330.
	The estimates of costs of a children's guardian by:
	
		
			  (a) National Youth Advocacy Service in the financial years 
			  Financial years (April to March)  £ 
			 2003-04 4,480 
			 2004-05 4,710 
			 2005-06 6,240 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service in the financial years 
			  Financial years (April to March)  £ 
			 2003-04 3,280 
			 2004-05 3,370 
			 2005-06 3,440

Coroners

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of coroners' officers employed by  (a) police forces,  (b) local authorities and  (c) coroners; and what effect she expects the provisions of the draft Coroners Reform Bill to have on the number of officers employed by each.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 6 November 2006
	There are approximately 430 coroners' officers in England and Wales. Around 90 per cent. are employed by police forces with the remaining 10 per cent. employed by local authorities. I am not aware of any officers employed directly by the coroner, although some coroners directly employ other support staff. The draft Bill should not directly impact on the number of coroners' officers. Providing the coroner service is currently being resourced locally, there should be no requirement arising from the draft Bill to increase the number of coroners' officers in a particular area.

Coroners

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the costs and benefits of establishing a national service of coroners' officers.

Harriet Harman: holding answer 6 November 2006
	The draft Coroner Bill regulatory impact assessment (RIA) published in June this year assessed the costs and benefits of a unified national coroner service consisting of coroners, coroners' officers and other support staff. The RIA estimated the total cost of the unified national service as requiring an additional £17 million per year in annual costs and £31 million in set-up costs. Having assessed the costs and benefits carefully, the Government take the view that the benefits of a unified national coroner service do not justify the costs, and the proposals outlined in the current draft Bill provide better value for money.

Coroners

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the aims and objectives are of the Coroners Service.

Harriet Harman: Coroners are independent judicial officers whose duties are to hold inquests and order post mortem examinations in accordance with the requirements of the Coroners Act 1988 and the Coroners Rules 1984. In carrying out these duties coroners meet the public interest by determining the facts of deaths which are reported to them. Coroners also hold treasure inquests in accordance with the requirements of the Treasure Act 1996.

Data Protection

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs, 
	(1)  what plans she has to amend the Data Protection Act 1998 to allow more data-sharing between public sector bodies; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the timetable is for the Government's plans to amend the data protection principle to facilitate public sector data-sharing.

Vera Baird: We have no plans to amend the Data Protection Act 1998, as it does not prevent the lawful sharing of personal data. As we made clear in the Information-sharing Vision Statement, published in September, the Government are committed to greater data sharing—where it is lawful and in the public interest—while ensuring suitable safeguards are in place to protect personal information. The safeguards are provided by the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act 1998, which balance individuals' privacy rights with the need for organisations to use personal data for legitimate purposes. However, we wish to ensure that, as more data are shared, the level of protection reflects the potential risks. We have been consulting on a possible amendment to the Data Protection Act to strengthen the penalties for those who deliberately or recklessly obtain or disclose personal data. The consultation finished on 31 October and we intend to publish the outcome later this year.

Electoral Arrangements

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what expenditure has been allocated to fund  (a) election pilots and  (b) e-voting pilots in the May 2007 local elections.

Bridget Prentice: The funding for pilots in May 2007 will depend upon how many local authority applications are approved by the Secretary of State and what processes those pilots test.
	Until that decision is taken we cannot put a figure on the funding to be allocated. I will inform the House about the pilot programme and likely cost in due course.
	Each application will be considered on a case by case basis and will only be approved if it has an effective business case and offers value for money.

Family Courts

Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many family courts there are in each London borough.

Harriet Harman: While London's family courts sit within London boroughs they do not specifically serve distinct boroughs.
	London currently supports family work across 32 different venues. 17 of these are magistrates courts and 15 are at county courts. London also has a substantial volume of family work heard at the High Court within the Royal Courts of Justice and at the Principal Registry of the Family Division (PRFD) at First Avenue House. Details of the courts within each London borough are as follows.
	There are 32 London boroughs and the City Corporation.
	The Principle Registry of the Family Division also deals with Family work from all 32 boroughs and the City Corporation.
	Family work is not jurisdiction based and applicants can issue proceedings at any Family Court.
	Some county courts have jurisdiction for several London boroughs.
	Barnet—Barnet Family County Court and Barnet FPC work is covered by Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre
	Enfield—Barnet Family County Court and Enfield FPC work is covered by Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre/Edmonton County Court
	Haringey—Barnet Family County Court and Haringey FPC work is covered by Barnet Civil and Family Courts Centre/Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court/Edmonton County Court
	Brent—Brent Family Proceedings Court (FPC)/Willesden County Court
	Hillingdon—Hillingdon FPC/Uxbridge FPC/Uxbridge County Court
	Harrow—Harrow FPC)/Willesden County Court
	Waltham Forest—Waltham Forest FPC/Bow County Court
	Redbridge—Redbridge FPC/Ilford County Court/Bow County Court
	Newham—Stratford FPC (including Barking FPC admin and hearings)/Bow County Court
	Barking and Dagenham—Admin and Hearings at Stratford FPC/Ilford County Court/Romford County Court
	Havering—Havering FPC/Romford County Court
	Bromley—Bromley FPC/Bromley County Court
	Bexley—Bexley FPC/Bromley County Court
	Croydon—Croydon FPC/Croydon Combined Court Centre/Wandsworth County Court
	Sutton—Sutton FPC/Croydon Combined Court Centre
	Kingston—Kingston FPC/Kingston County Court
	Merton—Wimbledon FPC/Kingston County Court
	Ealing—Ealing FPC/Acton FPC/Brentford County Court/Uxbridge County Court
	Hounslow—Feltham FPC/Brentford County Court
	Richmond—Richmond FPC/Brentford County Court/Wandsworth County Court
	Hackney—Inner London FPC/Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
	Tower Hamlets—Inner London FPC/Bow County Court/Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
	Islington—Inner London FPC/Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
	Camden—Inner London FPC/Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
	Westminster—Inner London FPC
	Kensington and Chelsea—Inner London FPC
	City of London—Inner London FPC
	Southwark—Inner London FPC/Lambeth County Court
	Hammersmith and Fulham—Inner London FPC/West London FPC)/Willesden County Court
	Lewisham—Inner London FPC/Bromley County Court/Lambeth County Court/Woolwich County Court
	Lambeth—Inner London FPC/Lambeth County Court/Bromley County Court/ Wandsworth County Court
	Greenwich—Inner London FPC/Woolwich County Court/Bromley County Court
	Wandsworth—Inner London FPC/Wandsworth County Court

Family Courts

Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account she takes of  (a) geographical coverage,  (b) public transport links,  (c) road links and  (d) potential travel costs of (i) members of the public and (ii) social workers when (1) opening and (2) closing family courts.

Harriet Harman: When deciding the locations of family courts all the issues raised by the hon. Lady are considered and a diversity impact assessment is conducted.

Family Courts

Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of family courts in Brent.

Harriet Harman: Brent is not one of the currently proposed Family Courts Centres, in the DCA Consultation (HMCS London Region Proposals for Network of Family Courts Centres Consultation Paper CP 16/06), but views are sought as to whether the proposals are right or whether other suggestions should be considered. At this stage therefore it would not be appropriate to make a statement on the future of family courts in Brent pending the response to consultation.

Family Courts

Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases were heard by each family court in London in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The number of cases heard by each family court in London in each of the last three years have been placed in the Library of the House. Data for the last five years are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Freedom of Information

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will designate Network Rail a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Vera Baird: We are still considering the impact of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on public bodies covered by the legislation and have not yet reached a view on the use of the power contained in section 5 of the Act which provides for extension of coverage.
	However, Network Rail is required to provide information to the Office of Rail Regulation about its public functions. The Office of Rail Regulation is subject to the Act, and the hon. Gentleman will be free to approach it.

Freedom of Information

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Freedom of Information Act requests received by her Department in the last 12 months were cleared by special advisers before being  (a) accepted and  (b) rejected.

Vera Baird: Under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, public authorities are required to accept requests for recorded information submitted in writing by any person. Special advisers in my Department operate in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers. They have no role in accepting FOI requests.

Housing Tenure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the reasons for the rate of take-up of commonhold in new residential developments since 2002.

Vera Baird: On 2 November 2006, there were 11 commonholds registered at Land Registry: 10 in England and one in Wales. These comprise 115 units. 46 residential units have been transferred to unit-holders. In December 2005, a developer announced proposals for a £500 million mixed-use commonhold, including up to 2,000 homes.
	The Government have consulted with stakeholders to identify the key contributing factors to the slow rate of take-up. As a result of this work, the Government intend to put forward proposals to make commonhold more suitable for use in larger and mixed-use developments. We intend to publish a consultation paper later this year, which will include proposals for the provision of shared ownership and for more flexible management arrangements.

Judges

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs for what reasons her Department does not maintain a centrally held list of part-time judges in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: My Department, jointly with the Directorate of Judicial Offices, holds records of all judicial office holders, including part-time judges. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answers given on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 553W and 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 566W.

Judicial Appointments Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many employees of the Judicial Appointments Commission on  (a) permanent and  (b) other contracts (i) have previously worked for and (ii) are on secondment from her Department, broken down by Civil Service grade.

Harriet Harman: There are no permanent employees of the Judicial Appointments Commission who previously worked for the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
	With the exception of one post, there are no agency staff in the Judicial Appointments Commission who previously worked for the Department of Constitutional Affairs.
	There are currently 77 Judicial Appointments Commission employees who are on varying lengths of secondment from the Department for Constitutional Affairs.
	Three are members of the SCS; 10 are Span 8; eight are Span 7; 11 are Span 6; 25 are Span 4; and 20 are Span 3.

Judicial Appointments Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the future strategy for recruitment of administrators by the Judicial Appointments Commission.

Harriet Harman: I understand that the Judicial Appointments Commission as an independent non-departmental public body is in the process of developing its strategy for the recruitment of staff.

Legal Aid

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what account is taken of the  (a) nationality,  (b) country of residence,  (c) location of claimed harm and  (d) income of overseas applicants compared to the average in country of origin when considering applications for legal aid.

Vera Baird: There is no nationality or residence qualification for receiving civil or criminal legal aid. Legal aid for representation in criminal or civil proceedings is only available for proceedings in England and Wales. It is for the courts to determine whether it is appropriate for proceedings to take place in this jurisdiction, taking into account the location of the events giving rise to the proceedings. Funded advice services are generally restricted to advice on issues of English law.
	The income of applicants for legal aid is not compared to the average income in the country of origin, although, in cross-border disputes, the issue of whether the applicant can afford the costs of the proceedings may be taken into account in assessing financial eligibility, in accordance with the EU directive on legal aid (2002/8/EC).

Legal Aid

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs who received legal aid funding to act for the plaintiff as  (a) counsel and  (b) solicitor in Sutradhar  v. Natural Environment Research Council.

Vera Baird: The solicitor for Mr. Sutradhar was Martyn Day of Leigh Day and Co. This particular claim formed part of a multi party action for which the solicitors were Leigh Day and Co. and Alexander Harris jointly. The senior partners in charge from each firm were Martyn Day and David Harris respectively. The barristers contracted under the multi party action were Lord Brennan QC, Andrew Spink and Richard Hermer.

Legal Aid

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  on which grounds plaintiff Sutradhar  v. Natural Environment Research Council was eligible for legal aid;
	(2)  what criteria were met for legal aid to be granted in the case of Sutradhar  v. Natural Environment Research Council.

Vera Baird: Applicants for legal aid in civil cases can obtain funding for legal advice and information, investigative help, or legal representation, if they pass the standard tests of financial eligibility and if their case meets the criteria for the grant of funding, as set out in the funding code. These criteria include the prospects of success, and the likely costs of the action when compared with its likely benefits.
	The release of detailed information about the granting of funding to Mr. Sutradhar is prohibited by statute. However, this particular case, as a 'multi-party action', would have been subject to detailed case management by the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

Legal Aid

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent in legal aid funding on the case of Sutradhar  v. Natural Environment Research Council; how much was paid to each  (a) barrister and  (b) the firm of solicitors; and what hourly rate was paid in each case.

Vera Baird: Mr. Sutradhar's claim is one of three lead cases in a multi-party action, involving 377 other claimants. The Legal Services Commission is unable to provide case costs relating to the multi-party action as the final bills have not yet been paid.
	The hourly rates applied to this action, as set out under the Multi Party Action Arrangements 1999 and contracted at 'risk rates', were £70 per hour for solicitors and £90 per hour for barristers. Within this barristers can share the fees at differing rates, so leading counsel may receive rates above £90 per hour and junior counsel rates below £90 per hour.

Legal Services Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the reasons are for the underspend noted in the income and expenditure columns of the Legal Services Commission Annual Report 2005-06.

Vera Baird: The operating surplus reported in the Legal Services Commission's Annual Report 2005-06 arose largely from the release of provision on dormant cases—see notes 4 and 13 to the accounts. The LSC set up a project to investigate and close such cases, and as a result it now has better data to estimate provision more accurately. This resulted in a reduction in the financial liability. This does not represent an underspend and has never existed as available cash.

Lyons Review

Louise Ellman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many jobs in her Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Vera Baird: By the end of March 2006, my Department had relocated 11 posts as a result of the Lyons Review. Of these posts, none went to Liverpool (10 went to Manchester and one went to Wolverhampton). A further update will be provided in my Department's Autumn Performance Report. We do not keep a record of how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in her Department.

Vera Baird: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Oxford Coroner's Court

Andrew Smith: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many inquests are outstanding at Oxford Coroner's Court; and what steps she is taking to assist Oxford Coroner's Court in completing inquests.

Harriet Harman: I refer my right hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made on 12 October 2006. As of 2 November there were 340 outstanding inquests in Oxfordshire of which 108 relate to deaths of military or civilian personnel who lost their lives in military conflicts or exercises abroad.

UK Constitution

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of a codified constitution for the UK.

Vera Baird: A codified constitution that would authoritatively and definitely bind successive governments would signify a massive constitutional and cultural change in the UK and would represent a fundamental shift in the way in which we are governed.
	The central tenet of our constitution is that Parliament is sovereign. It is the body whereby the will of the people is expressed via the general election and as such has ultimate authority. Codification would mean that Parliament was no longer sovereign and that the courts would become the ultimate arbiters of our constitution. Drawing up such a constitution would be a very significant undertaking and we are not convinced that there is a strong case to begin such an undertaking at the moment.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Accident Reporting

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will ensure that vocational training accident reporting procedure advice forms part of placement officers' briefing to employers offering work experience.

Phil Hope: While the LSC has no plans to include accident reporting procedure advice forms within placement officers' briefing, the LSC already has, within its funding mechanisms, health and safety standards which deal with accidents and incidents while learners are undertaking vocational training with employers. The LSC has also issued information for those involved with learners on work placements. LSC funded organisations also sign an annual declaration (HSQ1) which stipulates that there are effective arrangements in place to identify, notify and report learner accidents.

Autism

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to issue guidance to schools on assisting those children with autism who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and who engage in disruptive behaviour.

Parmjit Dhanda: Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) will benefit from the initiatives to support children with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties and to improve behaviour along with other children. However, the Government recognise that to meet autistic children's needs fully, including their behavioural needs, requires intervention which is informed by an understanding of autism. 'The Good Practice Guidance on ASDs', which my Department and the Department of Health published in 2002, includes pointers to good practice on addressing these children's behavioural needs. The Government's response to the Education and Skills Committee's report on special educational needs includes a commitment to develop a pack for teachers, working with the Department's Autism Working Group, on making effective provision for children with ASDs. We will consider whether to include in the pack practical guidance on dealing with disruptive behaviour.

Biometric Technology

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings Ministers in his Department have had with companies who have an interest in biometric technology in the last 12 months.

Phil Hope: No Ministers in the Department for Education and Skills have held discussions on biometric technology with any private or public companies. I am the only Minister to have met organisations with a potential interest in biometric technology when sectoral skills issues were the purpose of the meetings. Biometric technology was not discussed on those occasions.

Child Protection Register

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children were on the child protection register in each year between 1979-80 and 2005-06, broken down by county; what the estimated numbers are for 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: Information on the number of children on the child protection register as at 31 March for each year from 1989 to 2005, by local authority, has been placed in the Library. Data for 2006 are due to be published on the DfES website in January 2007. Data are not held centrally for years prior to 1989.

Children in Care

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in care in each local authority area were adopted in each year since 1994; and what proportion of the total in care this represented.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 October 2006
	Information on the number of looked after children adopted during the year, and the percentage of all those who were looked after at 31 March 1994 to 2005 is shown in a table which has been placed in the Library.

Children in Care

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made in each local authority area against his Department's target substantially to narrow the gap between the educational attainment and participation of children in care and that of their peers by 2006.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 October
	The latest published information on progress towards the Department's target to substantially narrow the gap between the educational attainment and participation of children in care and that of their peers in each local authority in England is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Educational attainment and participation of children looked after 12 months to 30 September 2002 and 12 months to  30 September 2005( 1, 2, 3)  England 
			  Percentage 
			   Performance of looked after children in English and Maths Key Stage 2 tasks and tests, compared with all children( 2, 3)  Of the children looked after in year 11, old enough to sit GCSE or GNVQ exams, the percentage who did not sit any of these exams( 2)  Percentage obtaining at least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade A* to C( 2) 
			  Local authority  2002  2005  2002  2005  2002  2005 
			  England 46 52 42 36 8 11 
			
			  North East 42 55 40 32 6 11 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Durham — 61 18 23 — — 
			 Northumberland — 82 43 43 — 0 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Darlington 0 — 45 — 0 — 
			 Hartlepool — — — — 0 — 
			 Middlesbrough 57 53 — 53 0 — 
			 Redcar and Cleveland — — — 27 0 — 
			 Stockton On Tees — — — 27 — — 
			
			  Metropolitan Districts   
			 Gateshead — — 50 41 — — 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne — — 61 32 — — 
			 North Tyneside — — 44 6 — — 
			 South Tyneside — 70 28 9 — — 
			 Sunderland 49 50 38 34 — — 
			
			  North West   
			  Shire Counties 51 58 42 36 8 11 
			
			 Cheshire — — 8 22 — — 
			 Cumbria 62 57 48 37 — 13 
			 Lancashire 56 73 51 33 10 8 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Blackburn With Darwen 56 63 53 — — 0 
			 Blackpool — — — 35 — — 
			 Halton — 76 — 38 0 — 
			 Warrington — — 0 27 — — 
			
			  Metropolitan Districts   
			 Bolton 80 77 50 44 — — 
			 Bury — 61 — 44 0 — 
			 Knowsley — 57 63 33 0 — 
			 Liverpool 53 68 39 46 10 11 
			 Manchester 58 63 51 34 8 — 
			 Oldham — — 40 45 — — 
			 Rochdale — 68 42 18 0 — 
			 Salford 67 57 32 44 — 22 
			 Sefton — 57 33 25 — — 
			 St. Helens — — 33 57 — — 
			 Stockport — 46 52 16 0 — 
			 Tameside 57 51 47 33 — — 
			 Trafford 57 — — 50 0 — 
			 Wigan 44 54 47 41 — 18 
			 Wirral 63 52 28 30 — — 
			
			  Yorkshire and the Humber 47 56 42 37 4 10 
			  Shire Counties   
			 North Yorkshire 50 58 44 12 — — 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 65 — — 33 — — 
			 Kingston Upon Hull 58 61 33 44 — — 
			 North East Lincolnshire — — 32 46 — — 
			 North Lincolnshire — — 27 25 0 0 
			 York 0 — — — — — 
			
			  Metropolitan Districts   
			 Barnsley — 70 50 38 0 — 
			 Bradford 34 54 53 30 0 14 
			 Calderdale — — — 18 — — 
			 Doncaster 42 — 46 61 — — 
			 Kirklees — — 38 59 — — 
			 Leeds 39 53 39 36 — 14 
			 Rotherham 58 82 54 32 — — 
			 Sheffield 51 70 45 37 — — 
			 Wakefield 59 45 41 45 0 — 
			
			  East Midlands 44 41 42 42 10 10 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Derbyshire 47 41 48 49 13 — 
			 Leicestershire — — 40 38 — — 
			 Lincolnshire — 36 41 38 — — 
			 Northamptonshire — 42 55 49 — 14 
			 Nottinghamshire — 64 25 43 — — 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Derby 49 49 15 38 — — 
			 Leicester — 35 62 25 — — 
			 Nottingham 89 41 39 54 — — 
			 Rutland 0 0 100 100 0 0 
			
			  West Midlands 43 45 39 39 6 12 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Shropshire — — 28 17 — — 
			 Staffordshire 50 36 13 45 — — 
			 Warwickshire — — 39 20 — — 
			 Worcestershire 42 43 26 50 — 24 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Herefordshire — — 47 18 0 — 
			 Stoke-on-Trent — 79 30 38 — 25 
			 Telford and Wrekin — — — — — 0 
			
			  Metropolitan Districts   
			 Birmingham 49 46 48 42 — 10 
			 Coventry — 62 56 38 — — 
			 Dudley 51 52 40 47 0 — 
			 Sandwell — — 33 32 — — 
			 Solihull — — 50 48 — — 
			 Walsall 41 41 8 43 — — 
			 Wolverhampton 40 — 62 38 — — 
			
			  East of England 53 52 42 32 8 9 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Bedfordshire 64 — 34 32 — 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 66 — 38 48 — — 
			 Essex 44 53 44 40 9 8 
			 Hertfordshire 57 57 35 17 — 11 
			 Norfolk 57 57 44 36 10 — 
			 Suffolk 52 53 37 31 15 21 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Luton 77 — 40 31 — — 
			 Peterborough 64 44 44 30 0 0 
			 Southend — 65 56 32 — — 
			 Thurrock — — 61 35 0 — 
			
			  London 46 56 44 35 8 13 
			  Inner London   
			 Camden 88 — 52 37 — 14 
			 City of London 0 0 100 100 0 0 
			 Greenwich 33 65 54 38 — 10 
			 Hackney — 68 51 32  18 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham — — 48 43 9 15 
			 Islington 56 64 40 24 — 14 
			 Kensington and Chelsea — — 60 17 — — 
			 Lambeth 66 57 41 31 13 17 
			 Lewisham — 45 20 50 — — 
			 Southwark 57 53 52 41 — 14 
			 Tower Hamlets — — 16 32 — 23 
			 Wandsworth 46 — 42 31 — — 
			 Westminster — — 50 20 — — 
			
			  Outer London   
			 Barking and Dagenham — 75 33 53 — — 
			 Barnet 58 — 35 31 19 20 
			 Bexley — 50 31 36 — 0 
			 Brent — 79 25 41 — 21 
			 Bromley — 90 60 47 — — 
			 Croydon — — 46 33 8 19 
			 Ealing 56 69 49 47 — — 
			 Enfield — 67 36 16 0 — 
			 Haringey — 74 39 40 — 12 
			 Harrow — — 7 — 0 — 
			 Havering — — 44 47 — 0 
			 Hillingdon — — 31 39 — — 
			 Hounslow — — 65 33 0 0 
			 Kingston Upon Thames — 0 36 — — — 
			 Merton — — 32 17 — — 
			 Newham — 47 42 13 — 17 
			 Redbridge — — 53 25 — — 
			 Richmond Upon Thames — — — 27 0 — 
			 Sutton 63 79 54 50 0 — 
			 Waltham Forest — — 78 37 0 — 
			
			  South East 44 47 49 37 8 8 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Buckinghamshire — 66 29 41 — — 
			 East Sussex 47 59 50 26 — — 
			 Hampshire 37 46 48 33 11 8 
			 Kent 45 36 44 44 6 12 
			 Oxfordshire 41 55 60 21 — — 
			 Surrey 59 52 33 31 — 14 
			 West Sussex 38 42 46 40 10 — 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Bracknell Forest — — — — 0 0 
			 Brighton and Hove — 42 57 35 — — 
			 Isle of Wight — — — 18 — — 
			 Medway Towns — 49 56 26 — — 
			 Milton Keynes 52 — 50 65 — — 
			 Portsmouth — — 60 27 — 0 
			 Reading — — — 65 0 — 
			 Slough — — — 31 — — 
			 Southampton 51 — 54 35 — 0 
			 West Berkshire — — — 62 — — 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead — — — — — 0 
			 Wokingham 0 — — — — 0 
			
			  South West 46 48 35 34 11 12 
			  Shire Counties   
			 Cornwall 51 44 26 32 23 — 
			 Devon 61 62 49 22 — — 
			 Dorset — — 52 27 — — 
			 Gloucestershire — 58 26 39 — 18 
			 Isle of Scilly 0 0 100 — 0 0 
			 Somerset — — 7 58 — — 
			 Wiltshire — — 26 39 — — 
			
			  Unitary Authorities   
			 Bath and North East Somerset — — 46 — — — 
			 Bournemouth — — 24 18 — — 
			 Bristol 40 39 43 48 — — 
			 North Somerset — — — — 0 — 
			 Plymouth 55 63 44 28 — — 
			 Poole — — — — 0 0 
			 South Gloucestershire — — — 27 0 — 
			 Swindon — — 50 27 — — 
			 Torbay — — 8 31 — — 
			 (1) Source: DfES—Figures are taken from the OC2 return which collects outcome indicators for looked after children.  (2) Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number but have been suppressed where the numerator was five or less or the denominator was 10 or less, in accordance with National Statistics protocols.  (3) Where either component of the resulting percentage shown was suppressed, the resulting percentage has also been suppressed.

Departmental Dress Code

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department's policy is on the display of religious  (a) artefacts,  (b) symbols and  (c) dress by its staff; how many staff have been subject to disciplinary proceedings regarding this policy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department does not have a specific policy on the display or wearing of religious artefacts, nor has there been a single disciplinary case related to this issue. There is a comprehensive dispute resolution process which is used for matters of misconduct.
	The Department's policy is to raise awareness of equality and diversity through its diversity delivery plan and also through a number of other measures. We have had in place since 1999 prayer rooms for Muslim staff and with the introduction of the 'Religion and Belief' legislation in 2003; we have arranged for the provision of quiet rooms for prayer and contemplation across all our sites. In addition, to support managers in the Department, we published guidance on major festivals for example, Ramandan, Yom Kippur and Diwali—which supports one of our objectives of raising awareness amongst all staff and ensuring that we create an inclusive culture.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which of his Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases;
	(2)  which databases operated by his Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

Beverley Hughes: The information as requested is not readily available centrally within the Department for Education and Skills. To respond fully would involve an extensive internal and external information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold.
	However, to be helpful, some information is a matter of record.
	
		
			  Database  External operator  Owner  Wholly  Partly 
			 HARTLINK (Database of Teachers' Pensions Records) Capita Teachers Pensions DfES School Resources Group X — 
			 Achievement and Attainment Tables (GCSE and A level) EduServ DfES Data Services Group (DSG) — (1 )X 
			 Statistical First Releases on GCSE and A level figures EduServ DSG — (1 )X 
			 Pupil Absence EduServ DSG — (1 )X 
			 Secure Data Transfer EduServ DSG X — 
			 On Line Publications EduServ DfES Communications Directorate X — 
			 Specialist Schools Database EduServ DfES Schools Directorate X — 
			 (1 )EduServ in Bath hosts the published databases although the Department and its contractor hold working versions of the underlying data for operational purposes.  Note: None of these databases are located outside the UK.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline.

Beverley Hughes: The information as requested is not readily available centrally within the Department for Education and Skills. To respond fully would involve an extensive internal and external information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold.
	However, to be helpful, some historical information is available. Analysis of the Department's Individual Learning Account (ILA) Programme is given in the report: "The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (2003), Individual Learning Accounts, Tenth Report of Session 2002-03 (Ref: HC 544), TSO, London"
	An analysis of the Department's UK e-University Project is given in the report: The "House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee (2005), UK e-University, Third Report of Session 2004-05 (Ref: HC 205), TSO, London".
	In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Under Secretary of State for Children Young People and Families on 13 June 2005,  Official Report, column 192W, and 3 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1314W.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  which web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £50,000 since 2001; which companies submitted qualified tender proposals for each project; and which company was awarded each contract;
	(2)  how many information technology projects his Department has undertaken in each year since 2001;
	(3)  how much his Department has spent on  (a) information technology projects and  (b) web-facing information technology projects in each year since 2001, broken down by (i) expenditure on consultants and (ii) other costs.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information as requested is not readily available centrally within the Department for Education and Skills. To respond fully would involve an extensive internal and external information collection exercise which would exceed the recommended disproportionate cost threshold.
	However, to be helpful, some information is a matter of record. Analysis of the Department's Individual Learning Account (ILA) Programme is given in the report: The House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts (2003), Individual Learning Accounts, Tenth Report of Session 2002-03 (Ref: HC 544), TSO, London.
	An analysis of the Department's UK e-University Project is given in the report: The House of Commons Education and Skills Select Committee (2005), UK e-University, Third Report of Session 2004-05 (Ref: HC 205), TSO, London
	In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the Under-Secretary of State for Children Young People and Families on 13 June 2005,  Official Report, column 192W; and 3 November 2005,  Official Report, column 1314W.

Dyslexia

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils at the West Somerset county college receive help for dyslexia; and at what cost.

Parmjit Dhanda: No information is collected centrally which would enable the Government to make an estimate of the number of children with dyslexia at West Somerset county college. However, since 2004, the Department for Education and Skills have collected data on pupils by type of SEN as part of the annual school census. Dyslexia is included within specific learning difficulties (SpLD) - which also covers dyscalculia and dyspraxia. We have data on pupils with SEN at School Action Plus and with a statement of SEN where SpLD is recorded as their primary need. The number of pupils with specific learning difficulties at West Somerset county college in 2006 is in the table below. We do not have data on pupils whose needs are met at 'School Action'.
	
		
			  West Somerset community college: Number of pupils with specific learning difficulties as their primary type of need( 1—) January 2006 
			   Number 
			 School Action Plus (2—) 
			 Statement of SEN 4 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils  (2 )Less than 3   Source:  Schools Census 
		
	
	In 2006-07, Somerset local authority reported via their 2006-07 Section 52 budget statement that they had budgeted £37.2 million for the provision of education for children with special educational needs. Of this £37.2 million, the funding delegated to West Somerset County College identified as "notional SEN" was £271,775. Figures recorded against "notional SEN" are only indicative of the amount that might be spent by the school on pupils with SEN and do not include any money retained centrally and spent on behalf of its schools by Somerset local authority.
	Funding specifically for pupils with dyslexia is not collected and therefore cannot be distinguished from the overall budgeted expenditure on SEN.

Energy Efficiency

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of light bulbs purchased by his Department in 2005 were of the compact fluorescent type.

Parmjit Dhanda: 90 per cent. of the Department's headquarters buildings light bulb purchases last year were of the compact fluorescent type.

Green Paper

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to make available an easy read version of the Green Paper, Care Matters: transforming the lives of children and young people in care; and if he will extend the consultation deadline for those requiring the easy read version of the paper.

Parmjit Dhanda: An easy read version of 'Care Matters: Transforming the lives of children and young people in care' is being prepared and will be available very shortly. We have no current plans to extend the consultation period, but will wish to continue our dialogue with stakeholders beyond the formal consultation, and will of course be flexible in accepting later responses from those requiring an easy read version.

Head Lice

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to tackle head lice in schools.

Jim Knight: Local NHS primary care trusts are responsible for local strategies on the prevention and treatment of head lice in their local communities. Queries about such issues are for the Department of Health or local NHS primary care trusts.

Higher and Further Education

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school leavers in Copeland entered  (a) higher education and  (b) further education in the last 12 months.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is given in the following table. Figures have been produced for both Cumbria local education authority (LEA) and Copeland parliamentary constituency (PC) because further education (FE) figures are not available at a constituency level.
	
		
			  Numbers from Cumbria LEA and Copeland PC of 16 and 17-year-old students at FE colleges and sixth form Colleges and 18-year-old entrants to undergraduate higher education (HE) courses at UK HE institutions 
			  Academic year 2004/05 
			   Copeland parliamentary constituency  Cumbria LEA 
			 16 and 17-year-old students at FE colleges(1) n/a 2,900 
			 16 and 17-year-old students at sixth form colleges(1) n/a 700 
			 18-year-old entrants to undergraduate HE courses at UK HE institutions(2) 175 1,365 
			 (1) FE figures are the latest participation figures for the year end 2004 and are rounded to the nearest 100. (2) HE figures are based on the HESA Standard Registration Population and rounded to the nearest five.  Source: FE—Individualised Learner Record; HE—Higher Education Statistics Agency Student Record 
		
	
	Figures will not include students who defer entry to higher education and who enter HE in when they are 19 years old.

Mature Students

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students at each university in England were mature students in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is for 2004/05. Figures for 2005/06 will be available in January 2007.
	The proportion of undergraduate enrolments by mature students at each English HE institution is given in a table which has been placed in the Library.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

Parmjit Dhanda: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Muslim Council of Britain

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much  (a) financial support and  (b) support in kind his Department and its agencies have given to the Muslim Council of Britain in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: According to our records, no direct funding to the Muslim Council of Britain has been provided by the Department or its agencies since 1997. There is also no evidence of funding in kind to support their work.

Nursing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage students to study nursing.

Bill Rammell: The recruitment of students to nursing courses is a matter for strategic health authorities in liaison with national health service employers. The Department for Education and Skills is not taking any special steps to encourage students to study nursing but we continue to promote the benefits of higher education for all students and to encourage them to apply to the course best able to match their abilities.

School Buildings

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the revised Building Bulletin 100 (BB100), 'Designing and Managing Against the Risk of Fire in Schools'.

Jim Knight: An analysis of the responses to the public consultation on Building Bulletin 100 was completed in March. A revised draft of the guide has since been produced, but this is not yet complete as we saw the need to commission further work on fire risk assessment tools and suppression systems. That work is nearing completion and will be incorporated in the revised draft. Due to this, we now expect to publish the revised Building Bulletin 100 early in 2007.

Science Degrees

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Tewkesbury of 12 October 2006,  Official Report, column 428, on science degrees, how many science-related degrees were taken in each year between 1997 and 2006, broken down by subject.

Bill Rammell: The information requested has been placed in the House Library.

SEN

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he plans to take to improve support for parents of children with special educational needs who themselves have  (a) special educational needs and  (b) disabilities and require assistance in making considered judgments about provision for their children.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department publishes a booklet "Special Educational Needs: a guide for parents and carers". This is available in audio and Braille versions and the Department is currently commissioning Speakup Self Advocacy Ltd. to produce 'easy read' and 'easier read' versions for parents who have learning difficulties.
	Following the Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability Act 2001 local authorities have been obliged to offer parent partnership services for all parents of children with special educational needs. The SEN Code of Practice sets out minimum standards for parent partnership services including
	"that a wide range of information is available in community languages, and to parents who may not be able to gain access to information through conventional means".
	The Government's response to the Education and Skills Committee's report on SEN said that, by way of exemplification of the minimum standards, we will set out clear expectations of the partnerships in each area. The exemplification of minimum standards will help to improve the quality of local services and inform Ofsted's inspections of local authority services.
	Local authorities in their support for parents who have learning disabilities will want to take account of good practice guidance on working with such parents which the Department of Health aims to publish by the end of this year.

SEN

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the equality of provision in the special educational needs system;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the conclusions of Ofsted in its 2004 report special educational needs and disability: towards inclusive schools on equality of provision in the special educational needs system.

Parmjit Dhanda: Each year the Department publishes statistics by local authority in England covering matters like the numbers of children with special educational needs (SEN) and placements for those with SEN statements. The SEN and disability tribunal publishes data annually on appeals registered with the tribunal and break these down by local authority. In addition, the Department collects information on planned expenditure by local authorities on SEN.
	Ofsted's 2004 report on inclusive schools found "a picture of continuing variability" in how well mainstream schools are enabling pupils with SEN to be included effectively in the full range of educational opportunity. Ofsted's more recent report Inclusion: "does it matter where pupils are taught?" (July 2006) found that: "there was little difference in the quality of provision and outcomes for pupils across primary, secondary and special schools. However, mainstream schools with additionally resourced provision were particularly successful in achieving high outcomes for pupils academically, socially and personally. [Pupil Referral Units] were the least successful."
	The Department's team of SEN advisers visits each local authority. The team's latest overview report (October 2006) says that "significant progress has been made in implementing "Removing Barriers to Achievement [the Government's SEN strategy] by the majority of local authorities in England". The Government's response to the Education and Skills Committee's report on SEN announced that Her Majesty's chief inspector of schools has been asked to review progress in implementing the SEN strategy in 2009/10 and that the Government would consider whether any changes were needed to the SEN framework in the light of the chief inspector's findings.

SEN

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will require all local education authorities to monitor admissions of children with special educational needs to schools in their area, including academies and trust schools, in order to publish an annual report.

Parmjit Dhanda: Local education authorities are already required by virtue of The Special Educational Needs (Provision of Information by Local Education Authorities) (England) Regulations 2001 to publish their general arrangements for monitoring the admission of children with special educational needs (whether or not those children have a statement) to maintained schools in their area.
	In addition, subject to the passage of the Education and Inspections Bill, admission forums will be required in regulations to monitor admissions to ensure they are fair for all sectors of the local community, including children with SEN and disabilities. Forums will have the power to produce an annual report on admissions in their area and to provide their reports every two years to the schools commissioner, who will produce a national review every two years for Parliament on fair access, based upon the reports from the admissions forums.

SEN

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if he will take steps to ensure that special educational needs training is made a core and compulsory part of initial teacher training for all teachers;
	(2)  if he will restart negotiations with the Training and Development Agency on the role of special educational needs training in initial teacher training, induction and continued professional development;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to implement the triangle of training needs outlined in his Department's special educational needs strategy;
	(4)  if he will take steps to provide increased and guaranteed funding to special educational needs regional partnerships for their role in planning provision for low-incidence special educational needs;
	(5)  if he will take steps to increase post-16 provision for young people with  (a) special educational needs and  (b) disabilities;
	(6)  if he will impose a statutory responsibility on local authorities to consult and work with  (a) local and  (b) national autism bodies to make progress towards the objective of achieving early diagnosis of children with autism;
	(7)  if he will require local authorities to maintain a proportion of special educational needs funding to resource specialist services to meet low-incidence needs;
	(8)  if he will establish  (a) a specific national framework with minimum standards,  (b) a broad range of suitable provision and  (c) a work force equipped and resourced to identify and meet the needs of children with special educational needs (SEN) before increasing the delegation of funding for SEN;
	(9)  if he will change the funding agreements with academies to put them on the same legal footing as other schools with regard to children with special educational needs;
	(10)  if he will ensure that the new code of practice on school admissions gives children with  (a) special educational needs and  (b) disabilities explicit priority in over-subscription criteria;
	(11)  if he will ensure that the protocol for hard to place children makes specific reference to children with  (a) special educational needs and  (b) disabilities;
	(12)  if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the provisions of the Additional Support for Learning Act 2004 in Scotland in providing for children with special educational needs;
	(13)  if he will take steps to make statements of special educational needs (SEN) transferable between local education authorities (LEAs) in circumstances where a pupil with SEN moves from a school in one LEA to a school in another;
	(14)  if he will issue clearer guidance to local authorities on in what circumstances to issue statements of special educational needs;
	(15)  what steps he is taking to improve the  (a) special educational needs and  (b) disability component of initial teacher training, induction and continuing professional development of school staff;
	(16)  what steps he plans to take to increase  (a) training and  (b) resources available to help staff to deal effectively with children with special educational needs in mainstream classrooms;
	(17)  how he proposes to increase the role of children and young people in reviewing, planning and designing services to meet special educational needs;
	(18)  if he will take steps to remind all staff in schools of their duties in respect of disability equality;
	(19)  when he expects to issue guidance to schools on the implementation of the disability equality duty;
	(20)  if he will introduce a statutory national framework with minimum standards on the provision of services to meet special educational needs;
	(21)  what steps he is taking to improve  (a) training,  (b) resources and  (c) provision to assist children with special educational needs who (i) have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and (ii) are on the autistic spectrum;
	(22)  what steps he is taking to improve the training of staff working with autistic children who experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties;
	(23)  what steps he is taking to pursue the inclusion development programme referred to on pages 27 and 31 of Removing Barriers to Achievement;
	(24)  what definition he uses of inclusion in special educational needs policy;
	(25)  what his policy is on whether there should be more or fewer special schools;
	(26)  whether it is his policy that the proportion of children educated in special schools should fall over time.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the Government's response to the Education and Skills Committee report on special educational needs, published on 11 October 2006 (Cm 6940).

SEN

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if his Department will start to collect data on the  (a) socio-economic background of parents at special educational needs tribunals and  (b) the pattern of expenditure in relation to (i) upheld and (ii) rejected appeals;
	(2)  if he will take steps to ensure equality of access to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal appeals process between parents and guardians  (a) of varying socio-economic background and  (b) with special educational needs; and if he will take steps to ensure effective representation of looked after children in such proceedings.

Parmjit Dhanda: The collection of data on the users of tribunals is a matter for the Tribunals Service. The Department will discuss with the Department for Constitutional Affairs issues concerning the background of those who use the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
	Although there are no data on the socio-economic backgrounds of parents appealing to SENDIST, its annual report includes a breakdown of appeals by local authority. There does not appear to be any clear link to economic circumstance between the local authorities with relatively high and relatively low levels of appeals.
	Parents and guardians of children with special educational needs have equal access to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). There are no direct costs in appealing to the Tribunal. The service is free and the Tribunal reimburses parents and their witnesses for travel expenses. Witnesses can also receive a standard allowance towards loss of earnings.
	SENDIST aims to provide an accessible, supportive and helpful service to parents of children with special educational needs and to avoid formality in its proceedings as much as possible. Many parents do need help making and pursuing an appeal to SENDIST and the Tribunal provides details of some organisations that can help parents in their appeal booklet. It also provides information in a range of accessible formats, including Braille and large print, tape and video.
	Foster carers can appeal to SENDIST on behalf of children in their care and they would be expected to do so where this is appropriate. The local authority, as the corporate parent for these children, has a duty to promote their educational achievement and should always ensure that children in its care receive excellent support to meet their needs, including any special educational needs. The recent Green Paper "Care Matters" sets out proposals for a new independent advocate role to support children in care, alongside a national framework of skills and qualifications for carers. The present consultation will explore how these and other proposals in the Green Paper might be used to ensure children in care with special educational needs receive the right support for them.

Serious Case Reviews

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many serious case reviews following the death of a child have been carried out since 1997; when each report was published; and which authority or agency commissioned each review.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 30 October 2006
	The Child Protection Database, maintained by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, provides the following data on the numbers of confirmed Serious Case Reviews (SCRs), following the death of a child, in each local authority since 2000. Accurate data prior to 2000 are not available. We do not hold information on dates of publication. The following table includes only those authorities where a child death has led to a confirmed SCR and provides an overall total for between 2000-05. SCRs were commissioned by Area Child Protection Committees (ACPCs) throughout the period covered by the table. ACPCs were nearly all based on local authority boundaries but there were a few areas in England where an ACPC covered two or more local authorities with social services functions. In order to maintain the confidentiality of individual children who were the subject of a SCR, x denotes fewer than three SCRs. The data for 2006 is not yet complete.
	
		
			  Responsible council  2000-05 
			 Barking and Dagenham X 
			 Barnsley 4 
			 Bedfordshire 4 
			 Birmingham 12 
			 Blackpool UA X 
			 Bolton 9 
			 Bournemouth UA 3 
			 Bradford 4 
			 Brent X 
			 Bristol UA X 
			 Calderdale X 
			 Cambridgeshire X 
			 Camden X 
			 Cheshire 5 
			 Cornwall X 
			 Coventry 4 
			 Croydon X 
			 Cumbria 3 
			 Derby UA X 
			 Derbyshire X 
			 Devon 4 
			 Doncaster 6 
			 Durham 5 
			 Ealing X 
			 Enfield X 
			 Essex 5 
			 Gloucestershire 3 
			 Hackney X 
			 Hartlepool UA 4 
			 Havering 4 
			 Hertfordshire 7 
			 Hounslow X 
			 Isle of Wight UA X 
			 Islington X 
			 Kent X 
			 Kingston Upon Hull UA X 
			 Kingston Upon Thames 3 
			 Kirklees 4 
			 Knowsley X 
			 Lambeth X 
			 Lancashire 5 
			 Leeds 4 
			 Leicester UA X 
			 Leicestershire X 
			 Lewisham 3 
			 Lincolnshire 3 
			 Liverpool X 
			 Luton UA 5 
			 Manchester 12 
			 Medway Towns UA X 
			 Newcastle Upon Tyne X 
			 Newham 8 
			 Norfolk X 
			 North Lincolnshire UA 5 
			 North Somerset UA X 
			 North Yorkshire X 
			 Northamptonshire 11 
			 Northumberland X 
			 Nottingham UA X 
			 Nottinghamshire 7 
			 Oldham 3 
			 Other X 
			 Plymouth UA 3 
			 Rochdale X 
			 Rotherham X 
			 Sandwell 3 
			 Sheffield 3 
			 Solihull X 
			 Somerset X 
			 South Gloucestershire UA X 
			 Southend-on-Sea UA X 
			 Southwark X 
			 St. Helens X 
			 Stockport X 
			 Stockton-on-Tees UA 3 
			 Stoke-on-Trent UA 5 
			 Suffolk 6 
			 Sunderland X 
			 Surrey X 
			 Sutton X 
			 Swindon UA 6 
			 Tameside X 
			 Thurrock UA X 
			 Torbay UA X 
			 Trafford 3 
			 Wakefield 6 
			 Waltham Forest 4 
			 Warwickshire X 
			 Westminster X 
			 Wigan 3 
			 Wirral X 
			 Wolverhampton 3 
			 Worcestershire X

Single Equality Scheme

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources are available from his Department to educational institutions to assist them enacting the Higher Education Funding Council for England single equality scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: There are no resources specifically targeted at implementing the single equality scheme as it does not make any additional requirements on institutions. Higher education institutions are individually subject to the requirements of equality legislation and the single equality scheme is designed to complement the work that is taking place and to offer support and guidance where needed. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) also funds the Equality Challenge Unit to support the HE sector in the UK.
	In allocating £6.5 billion to HEFCE this year to distribute between higher education providers, we drew particular attention to the responsibilities institutions have in relation to equal opportunities and said we expected to see them continuing to contribute fully in this area.

Teenage Pregnancy Unit

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  who the Head of the Teenage Pregnancy Unit is; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; what his or her career has been to date; where the post was advertised; how many persons applied for the post; how many were short-listed for interview; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  who the members of the Teenage Pregnancy Unit are; what relevant specialist qualifications each holds; what the career of each has been to date; when each was appointed and by whom; where each vacancy was advertised; how many persons applied for each post; how many were short-listed for interview; where the Teenage Pregnancy Unit is located; how much was spent by it on  (a) office accommodation,  (b) staff costs,  (c) travel and subsistence and  (d) staff bonuses in each year since the unit's inception; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Head of the Teenage Pregnancy Unit is Marcus Bell, who transferred to the post in June 2004. Mr. Bell is a career civil servant who joined the Department in 1989.
	The Teenage Pregnancy Unit is an integral part of the Department for Education and Skills. In addition to the Head of the TPU, it currently has seven members, whose responsibilities are as follows:
	
		
			  Job title  Responsibilities 
			 Programme manager Delivery and implementation of the teenage pregnancy strategy 
			 National policy manager Policy briefings and parliamentary questions 
			 Teenage parents support manager Supported housing and childcare for teenage parents 
			 Local implementation manager Local implementation of the teenage pregnancy strategy 
			 Information and analysis manager Analysis and data 
			 Administrative support officer Administrative support 
			 Administrative support officer Administrative support 
		
	
	All members of the TPU must maintain their competence at the appropriate standard for their official duties.
	The costs for the Unit are as follows:
	 (a) Office accommodation: It is not possible to identify separately the accommodation costs of individual units or teams within the overall Department. This information is therefore not available.
	 (b) Staff costs and,  (c) travel and subsistence: The following table shows TPU staff salary costs and travel and subsistence costs from December 2003 when the Unit moved into the Department for Education and Skills from the Department of Health.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Financial year  Staff costs (i.e. salaries)  Travel and subsistence 
			 2003-04(1) 105,000 8,500 
			 2004-05 406,400 22,000 
			 2005-06 367,300 14,400 
			 2006-07(2) 177,000 9,200 
			 (1) 2003-04 costs relate to period from 1 December 2003 only, i.e. point at which TPU moved from the Department of Health to DfES  (2) 2006-07 costs are for period up to 30 September 2006 only   Note:  Figures rounded to nearest £. 
		
	
	 (d) Staff bonuses: These costs are included within the salary cost figures shown in the table.

PRIME MINISTER

Age and Disability Discrimination

Lorely Burt: To ask the Prime Minister what factors he took into account when allocating responsibility for age and disability discrimination to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Tony Blair: I believe this best meets the needs of this Government.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether Burma was raised in discussions with the Indian Prime Minister during his recent visit to the UK;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has held with the Chinese Government on the situation in Burma.

Tony Blair: I have had no recent discussions on Burma with the Chinese or Indian Governments. However, the Government continue to raise the subject of Burma at the United Nations and in all international forums.
	Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade discussed Burma with the Indian Deputy Foreign Minister and the Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister. I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 19 July 2006,  Official Report, column 488W, and to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 22 June 2006,  Official Report, column 2145W.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn) on 16 October 2006,  Official Report, column 975W, and to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Davies) on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2W.

Gifts

Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2030W, on gifts 
	(1)  on how many occasions gifts have been given to overseas dignatories at public cost in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the average cost was of gifts given to overseas dignatories at public cost in each of the last five years; what the costs were of  (a) the most expensive and  (b) the least expensive gift given; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2030W.

Ministerial Meetings

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what  (a) matters were discussed and  (b) decisions were taken in his meeting with Chancellor Merkel of Germany on 3 November; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I discussed a wide range of issues with Chancellor Merkel during her recent visit, including climate change, the situation in the Middle East, and the German presidencies of the European Union and the G8. I also refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with Chancellor Merkel on 3 November. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Pathways to the Future Project

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what the  (a) remit and  (b) membership is of the new energy and environment review team set up under the Pathways to the Future project.

Tony Blair: Details are available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/secretariats/economic_and_domestic/policy_review/
	Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Pingot Josa Malaysia Medal

David Mundell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of a Ceremonial Secretariat document dated 21 December 2005 relating to the Pingot Josa Malaysia medal.

Tony Blair: Information relating to internal advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Office has spent on taxis since the recent machinery of Government changes.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1626W.

Departmental Offices

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the  (a) total floor space and  (b) estimated rateable value is of his offices.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, North (Edward Miliband) on 19 July 2006,  Official Report, column 527W, and the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster today.

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if his Office will  (a) carry out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

John Prescott: Most of the staff in my Department are seconded from the Department for Communities and Local Government. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 39W.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether his Office recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment;
	(2)  what proportion of vacancies in his Office in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

John Prescott: Most of the staff in my Department are seconded from the Department for Communities and Local Government. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Departmental Travel

David Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent by his Office on  (a) chartering aircraft and  (b) non-scheduled air travel, in each of the last five years.

John Prescott: All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Library for the reference of Members. Details of the cost of overseas travel undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more are published annually. Information for 2005-06 was published on Monday 24 July 2006. Copies of the lists are available in the Library for the reference of Members.
	The Deputy Prime Minister's Office was formed on Friday 5 May 2006. Since then, I have not taken any such flights in the UK.

Ministerial Facilities

John Hayes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the top 10 moveable assets are in accommodation provided to him out of public funds.

John Prescott: The Deputy Prime Minister's Office was created on Friday 5 May 2006. The assets used by my Department are predominantly provided by the Cabinet Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Ministerial Facilities

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was to public funds of his telephone use from his official residence in Admiralty House in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06.

John Prescott: On the costs of telephone calls in my official residence in Admiralty House in 2004-05, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27 March 2006,  Official Report, column 832W, to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald). The cost of telephone calls in 2005-06 was £183.59.

Ministerial Telephone Records

Hugo Swire: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his Department's policy is on maintaining records of telephone calls made by Ministers.

John Prescott: Ministerial calls are monitored by officials. Records of calls are not maintained, though notes of action points are made as appropriate.

Ministerial Travel

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1614W, on ministerial travel, how much he spent on domestic  (a) flights and  (b) rail travel in his official capacity in 2005-06.

John Prescott: Information relating to the cost of my domestic rail and air travel alone is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Muslims

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements his Office has in place for offering him advice on Islam and matters relating to Muslims; and who his advisers are on Islam and Muslim affairs.

John Prescott: I take advice from officials across Government as appropriate. Specifically, the Department for Communities and Local Government is the lead Department on domestic matters relating to Muslim communities and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead department on international matters.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much has been spent on renovations, minor works and refurbishment on  (a) the flat in Admiralty House occupied by the Deputy Prime Minister and  (b) other parts of Admiralty House in each year since 1997-98; what proportion was spent on (i) carpets and (ii) wallpaper; and what plans there are for further works.

Hilary Armstrong: Admiralty House contains residential accommodation for Ministers and the occupying Departments are responsible for relevant costs associated with each of the residential flats.
	Expenditure on maintenance works (which include renovations, minor works and refurbishment) which were carried out on the non residential areas of Admiralty House is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Expenditure 
			 2002-03 2,295 
			 2003-04 29,969 
			 2004-05 158,235 
			 2005-06 225,131 
		
	
	The increase in expenditure in 2004-05 was due to essential redecoration which is part of an ongoing programme of works required to maintain the fabric of a Grade 1 listed building.
	The increase in expenditure in 2005-06 was partly due to the fitting of disabled toilets on the ground floor and the redecoration of the basement areas. These toilets were built in order to comply with accessibility requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Also included in this figure is the cost of redecoration works to the basement of the building and essential works to remove asbestos from the site. These measures are also part of an on-going programme of works.
	Accurate figures for maintenance works prior to April 2002 are not available.

Departmental Expenditure

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the annual expenditure on training and development for her Department was in each year since 1997-98; and what the expected costs are for 2006-07.

Patrick McFadden: Expenditure on training and development incurred in the Department in each year since 1997-98 is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Expenditure (£000) 
			 1997-98 1,150 
			 1998-99 1,325 
			 1999-00 1,369 
			 2000-01 1,563 
			 2001-02 1,806 
			 2002-03 1,691 
			 2003-04 2,320 
			 2004-05 2,439 
			 2005-06 2,465 
		
	
	The costs shown include all expenditure on staff training incurred by the Cabinet Office and the National School of Government.
	Costs incurred on training and development in 2006-2007 will only be available when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2007 summer recess.
	The rise in expenditure on training since 1997-98 can be explained by the increase in the number of staff working in the Department. In addition, training costs have increased as a result of the Cabinet Office's 'Investors in People' accreditation. 'Investors in People' is the National Standard, which sets a level of good practice for an organisation's performance through its people.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for her Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline.

Patrick McFadden: The information requested is not available in the form requested from the Department's accounting systems. It is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which web-related information technology projects cost her Department more than £50,000 since 2001; which companies submitted qualified tender proposals for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

Patrick McFadden: According to available records, listed are those web-related information technology projects since 2001 that cost my Department more than £50,000. In each case and subject to records being available, those companies who tendered and were awarded contracts are identified.
	 Platinum
	An on-line network available to all who have attended National School of Government (previously the Civil Service College) corporate programmes, designed to extend learning beyond those programmes.
	The contract was awarded to EPIC, and up to five other tenders were considered but records are not available for these.
	 E-Learner Support System
	Supports a range of National School (previously Civil Service College) programmes and networks. Users can access training materials, further reading and other items of interest. They can also collaborate on work via the discussion forums and separate libraries.
	The contract was awarded to the University of Durham Business School, and up to six other tenders were considered but records are not available for these.
	 Enterprise Information Portal/Policy Hub
	An on-line network providing access to resources to support better policy making.
	The contract was awarded to Compaq with Logica/CMG as sub-contractor. No information is available on other companies that tendered for this project.
	 Government Communications Network
	An on-line system supporting staff working in Government communications.
	The contract was awarded to IT-Zone. No information is available on other companies that tendered for this project.
	 Better Internet Project
	To develop an improved and well co-ordinated departmental web presence.
	The contract was awarded to Trinity Expert Systems Ltd. with Computacenter acting as value added re-seller (VAR). This project went through a two stage tendering process with a pre-tender VAR competition under the auspices of the Government Catalogue (GCat) between Computacenter, Specialist Computer Centre (SCC) and PC World Business. Competing tenderers via the chosen VAR were Trinity Expert Systems, Eduserv, White Clarke Technologies, Vamosa, COLT, BT and Attenda.
	 Civil Service Recruitment Gateway
	An on-line system to promote civil service career opportunities.
	The contract was awarded to McCann Erickson, in competition with Barnard Modes.
	 True North
	Consolidated hosting of systems: provision of a data centre and managed services.
	The contract was awarded to ITNet, since acquired by SERCO. Atos Origin and Fujitsu were the other prospective suppliers taken to 'invitation to negotiation' stage.
	 Government Gateway Managed Service Provision
	The Government Gateway is an application which interoperates with other government systems to provide secure access to online public sector services. The contract was awarded to Atos Origin; with CapGemini and EDS taken to 'invitation to negotiation' stage. The first iteration of this service, known as Government Gateway, was awarded to Compaq Computer.
	 Directgov
	The flagship government digital service designed to assist citizens and business obtain information about government; this service superseded UK Online, was developed in-house.
	 UK Online
	The predecessor to Directgov designed to assist citizens and business obtain information about government. The service was provided by British Telecom with PA Consulting. Information on other companies that tendered for this project cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which non-web-related information technology projects cost her Department more than £1 million since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

Hilary Armstrong: According to available records, the following are those non web-related information technology projects.
	 Electronic Records Management
	The project is being delivered through the Department's existing IT managed services contract by the incumbent supplier Hewlett-Packard.
	 Better Software Project
	The project was delivered through the Department's existing IT managed services contract by the incumbent supplier Hewlett-Packard.
	It is not the practice to publish the costs of intelligence-related programmes.

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much her Department has spent on  (a) information technology projects generally and  (b) web-facing projects in each year since 2001, broken down by (i) expenditure on consultants and (ii) other costs.

Patrick McFadden: The information is not available in the form requested from the Department's accounting system and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Engagements

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2006,  Official Report, column 480W, on engagements, what public events she has attended since the period referred to.

Hilary Armstrong: Since my appointment as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in May 2006 I have contributed to a number of public events on mental health, social capital, volunteering, early intervention and parenting. I have also visited various regions including the North West, Yorkshire and the West Midlands. In addition I have visited Staffordshire on Duchy business.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps she has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in her Department.

Edward Miliband: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from Saturday 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Official Residences

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on refurbishing the flat above 10 Downing Street in the last 12 months.

Hilary Armstrong: Between Friday 1 April 2005 and Friday 31 March 2006 there was no expenditure by the Cabinet Office on refurbishing the flat above 10 Downing Street. Audited information for the year 2006-07 will not be available until the end of the financial year.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health in each pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; what the incidence of ill-health retirement was as a percentage of all retirement in such schemes in each year since 1988-89; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current rate of ill-health retirement is for each public sector pension scheme for which her Department is responsible; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Cabinet Office participated in the inter-departmental review of ill-health retirement in the public sector, the report of which was published by Her Majesty's Treasury in May 2000. The civil service's approach to the recommendations of this report was set out in an action plan which included the setting of ill-health retirement targets for participating Departments. These targets required Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) employers to reduce ill-health retirement rates, by 2005, to no more than 3.72 per 1,000 staff; a higher rate of 4.84 per 1,000 staff was set for the Prison Services. Active management by employers resulted in the target being met and, for the year to Friday 31 March 2006, the overall ill-health retirement rate for employers generally was 1.76 per 1,000 staff and the rate for the Prison Services was 3.40 per 1,000 staff.
	The PCSPS provides ill-health pensions to members who are assessed by the scheme's independent medical adviser as being permanently incapable, by reason of ill-health, from carrying out their job. Qualifying members receive their accrued pension benefits paid immediately on an unreduced basis. Additionally, depending on the section of the scheme the member belongs to, the individual's length of service and the severity of their incapacity, reckonable service may be enhanced. The introduction of new pension terms for new entrants from October 2000 provided an opportunity to differentiate between those whose breakdown in health renders them incapable of any gainful employment and those who are incapable of carrying out their own job.
	Most civil servants joining the civil service on or after 1 October 2002 can, as an alternative to joining the PCSPS, opt for a partnership pension account which is a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. The conditions for ill-health retirement are as for members of the PCSPS but the member receives a lump sum of 20 per cent. of pay per year of service rather than an ongoing annual pension.
	Information about the number of members who retire early on the grounds of ill health as a percentage of all retirements for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme for the period from October 2002 onwards is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Period  Ill health retirements as a percentage of total retirements 
			 October 2002-March 2003 12.6 
			 2003-04 10.7 
			 2004-05 10.0 
			 2005-06 7.2 
		
	
	Comparable data for periods before October 2002 are only available at disproportionate cost. Information on ill health retirement in the civil service, alone (excluding non-civil service bodies which participate in the PCSPS) for the period to 2001-02 is available for each year in the annual publication Civil Service Statistics which is available on the Cabinet Office website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/index.asp
	Copies are also available in the Library for the reference of Members.

Ripley Building

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the Ripley Building in Whitehall is occupied by the Deputy Prime Minister's Office.

Hilary Armstrong: The Deputy Prime Minister's Office occupies part of a floor in the Ripley Building, 26 Whitehall.

Ripley Building

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) of 16 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 995-6W, on the Ripley Building, how many civil servants from  (a) the Cabinet Office,  (b) the Department for Communities and Local Government and  (c) the Deputy Prime Minister's Office work in the Ripley Building.

Hilary Armstrong: There are approximately 45 civil servants from the Cabinet Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government who work in the Ripley Building. For information relating to the staff providing support to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 72W.

Ripley Building

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on business rates for the Ripley Building in Whitehall in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what the rateable value is of the building.

Hilary Armstrong: It is not possible to provide a separate rateable value for the Ripley Building.

Special Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the total cost to her Department of special advisers accompanying Ministers on visits  (a) abroad and  (b) within the UK was in the last 12 months.

Hilary Armstrong: All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers. The Government publish an annual list of overseas travel costing more than £500 by Cabinet Ministers along with the total cost of all ministerial travel overseas. The total cost figure includes the cost of accompanying special advisers. Information for 2005-06 was published on Monday 24 July 2006. Information for 2006-07 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the financial year.
	Detailed information in respect of UK travel could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Special Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost to her Department of provision of office facilities to  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers (i) was in the last 12 months and (ii) has been since 1997-98.

Hilary Armstrong: Information on the cost of providing office facilities to special advisers and press officers in the Department in the last 12 months is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the cost of providing office facilities to special advisers and press officers since 1997-98 is not available.

Special Advisers

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many  (a) special advisers and  (b) press officers work for the (i) Social Exclusion Task Force and (ii) Better Regulation Executive.

Hilary Armstrong: The two special advisers appointed by me provide advice and assistance on the full range of Cabinet Office business, including work relating to the Social Exclusion Task Force and the Better Regulation Executive. No special advisers work directly for either unit.
	No specific press officer works for either unit but the Cabinet Office press office spend some of their timeworking on these two portfolios.

Strategy Unit

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the cost of all projects undertaken by the Strategy Unit has been  (a) over the past 12 months and  (b) since it was established.

Patrick McFadden: The Strategy Unit works on a broad range of domestic policy and allocates resources flexibly between a number of activities according to the needs of the current work programme. The Unit does not account for spend by project.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made with Afghanistan's Justice for all strategy, with particular reference to  (a) the building of gaols,  (b) an impartial judiciary and  (c) securing convictions.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the threat to the authority of the Government of Afghanistan posed by the Afghan insurgency.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements exist for the co-ordination of US and UK counter-narcotics strategies in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications of the findings of the UNODC's Afghan Opium survey 2006 for the counter-narcotics strategy in Afghanistan.

Ian McCartney: This year's increase in cultivation detailed in the UN Office on Drugs and Crime survey is very disappointing. The increase is due to a substantial increase in planting in Helmand and other Southern Provinces. 70 per cent. of the 61,000 hectare increase is in Helmand Province and 92 per cent. in the Southern Provinces of Helmand, Uruzgan, Dai Kundi and Zabul. This is worrying, but reflects the very difficult security situation and limited law enforcement capability in these provinces. Elsewhere, where access to governance, security and development has improved, reductions achieved last year have been sustained and in some cases fallen. This year has also seen the adoption of vital counter narcotics legislation, the conviction of over 280 traffickers, an increase in drugs related seizures and the completion this autumn of a high security prison for serious drug offenders. This is encouraging and shows that the Afghans' National Drug Control Strategy is starting to have an impact. We must continue to help the Afghans sharpen delivery on the ground in order to bring about a sustainable reduction in cultivation and trafficking across the country as a whole.

Bangladesh

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the political situation in Bangladesh.

Ian McCartney: Elections in Bangladesh are scheduled for January 2007. It is vital for the future of Bangladesh that these elections are seen to be free, fair and peaceful, and that the result reflects the will of the Bangladeshi people. International observers will have an important role to play in validating the outcome of the elections—the UK expects to participate in an EU observation mission. We shall continue to take a close interest in preparations for elections and stand ready to help where we can. But ultimately it is for the parties and the people of Bangladesh to make their elections a success. We look to the new caretaker government to carry out its functions in an impartial manner, in line with Bangladesh's constitution and in the best interests of the Bangladeshi people. We look to the Election Commission to act in a competent and independent manner. We call on the political parties to demonstrate leadership by publicly calling for peace and restraint. We expect the security forces to perform their duties with respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Belize/Guatemala

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what help and assistance her Department has given to the Belize Government in their border dispute with Guatemala.

Ian McCartney: Belize and Guatemala signed an "Agreement on Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures" in relation to their territorial dispute on September 2005. Regular negotiations, facilitated by the Organisation of the American States (OAS), have been taking place and are currently focussing on maritime issues.
	The UK is strongly supportive of this OAS-facilitated process and since 2002 has spent over£3.5 million from the Government's Global Conflict Prevention Pool to fund associated confidence building measures. We have supported a variety of projects including: the OAS office in the adjacency, or border, zone which promotes interchange, verifies any cross border incidents and diffuses tensions; a language exchange project bringing together Ministers, officials and civil society from both sides; and a project improving commercial linkages which has resulted in a partial scope free trade agreement. We very much hope that negotiations, supported by these confidence building measures, will allow both sides to resolve this dispute.
	We have also provided some bilateral support to Belize on this issue through the Bilateral Programme Fund disbursed by our High Commission in Belmopan.

Burma

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public money the Government allocated to Burma in the past 12 months.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of which Burmese exports are the main generators of income for the government of that country.

Ian McCartney: According to State Peace and Development Council figures, energy sector exports, principally to neighbouring states, account for approximately half of Burma's export earnings. Other key sectors are agricultural products, timber and gemstones.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason Myanmar Timber Enterprises is not included in the list of Burmese state-owned enterprises annexed to the EU Common Position on Burma.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on whether to add Myanmar Timber Enterprises to the EU list of Burmese state-owned companies during the forthcoming review of the EU Common Position on Burma.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on whether to seek to reduce imports of Burmese timber into the EU.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the government of China on trade in unsustainably logged timber across the China-Burma border.

Ian McCartney: Our ambassador in Rangoon has raised this issue with the Burmese Minister of Forestry and with the Chinese ambassador in Rangoon within the last 2 months.
	The Government have provided £21,540 to support the ongoing work of the British non-governmental organisation Global Witness in raising awareness of deforestation and illegal logging in Burma with particular focus on the border trade with China. Their reports have been presented to government officials in both Burma and China. With our support, Global Witness are making efforts to promote effective action by EU and international governments, with a specific focus on in-country initiatives and donor coordination.
	The Government have also contributed £575,000 to support a three-year joint research programme with Chinese institutions to quantify the current magnitude and trends in China's timber trade. This work is building up confidence for dialogue on sensitive issues concerning the nature of this trade and its impact on China's neighbours, with emphasis on border areas, including Burma.
	The EU-China summit held in Helsinki on9 September 2006 also agreed to intensify cooperation on illegal logging.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of whether an EU ban on the import of Burmese timber would contravene World Trade Organisation rules.

Ian McCartney: Any measures taken by the EU against Burma would have to satisfy relevant World Trade Organisation rules on imports of goods and services. For example, a unilateral ban on imports of timber from Burma would be a 'prima facie' breach of general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) rules. It would therefore, if challenged by Burma, have to be justified under either the general or security exceptions set down in the GATT Agreement.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the report of the UN Secretary General of 27 October 2006 on the effect on Cuba of the US blockade.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 6 November 2006
	On 8 August 2006, the UN Secretary-General published a report (no. A/61/132) relating to the draft UN Resolution on the "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba". This report contains entries from certain Governments and UN agencies who believe that the Cuban economy has been damaged by the US embargo. We agree that, alongside Cuban domestic policies, the US embargo has hampered the economic development of Cuba. We have made this clear through our vote every year against the US embargo on Cuba at the UN General Assembly. In particular, the UK/EU opposes the extraterritorial extension of the US embargo.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the US Administration on the recent intensification of the blockade of Cuba.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 6 November 2006
	The US has recently announced its intention to more rigorously enforce its trade embargo against Cuba, primarily by setting up a task force to penalise those who engage in US prohibited activities (e.g. travel, trade) with Cuba.
	The UK/EU policy towards Cuba continues to differ from that of the US. We make our opposition to the US embargo on Cuba clear through our vote every year against it at the United Nations General Assembly and in discussions with US officials. In particular, the UK/EU opposes the extraterritorial extension of the US embargo.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ian McCartney: The first and second rounds of voting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) both passed off peacefully with the Congolese population turning out in high numbers to vote in a dignified manner. It is now important that all political and military actors respect the wishes of the population. We welcome the signing of an agreement by the two remaining presidential candidates to respect the results. We look forward to working closely with the new government to develop a stable and prosperous DRC.
	My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, made a press statement on30 October on behalf of the Government following the second round of voting. The full text is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1161591409270%20&year=2006&month=2006-10-01&date=2006-10-30

Departmental Chief Accounting Officer

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the  (a) name,  (b) professional and academic qualifications and  (c) relevant experience are of the chief accounting officer of her Department.

Ian McCartney: The Chief (Principal) Accounting Officer of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is Sir Peter Ricketts KCMG, Permanent Under-Secretary. He holds a degree from Oxford University.
	The Permanent Under-Secretary combines the role of Accounting Officer with his personal responsibility for the overall organisation, management and staffing of the department and for department-wide procedures in financial and other matters. The Accounting Officer is assisted in the discharge of these duties by experienced and professionally CCAB-qualified senior managers such as the Chief Accountant and the Head of Internal Audit and benefits from the advice of the Chairman of the Departmental Audit and Risk Committee who is a Non-Executive Director on the FCO Board of Management and Vice-Chairman of KPMG in the UK.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of her Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

Geoff Hoon: None, all databases created by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are held on British Government systems.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which databases operated by her Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) operates a large number of databases overseas. All of these exist on computer systems located within, and under the control of, our overseas posts in the 144 countries where the UK is represented (a full list is available on the FCO website at: www.fco.gov.uk).

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her Department's five most expensive  (a) web and  (b) non-web information technology projects have been since 2001.

Ian McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today (UIN 98596 and 98643).

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  for all projects valued at over one million pounds and not web-related, who won the contract and how many qualified tender proposals there were;
	(2)  which non-web-related information technology projects cost her Department more than £500,000 since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) undertakes a very wide range of IT enabled projects. Strategic projects are managed centrally, but many others are delivered under a devolved system of financial responsibility underwhich Directorates and overseas Posts have the freedom, subject to conformity with FCO technical standards and the need to demonstrate effective use of public funds, to invest in non-strategic IT systems designed to meet specific needs. The cost, time scales and complexity of these projects vary enormously. Compiling a comprehensive answer to the hon. Member's questions would require exhaustive searches of records in the UK and overseas, and could only be done at disproportionate cost.
	However, a list of recent strategic information and communications technology contracts valued at over £l million is provided in the following table. Of these, the two marked with an asterisk are web-related. The list includes, where available from the Supplement to the Official Journal of the EU, the information requested about the number of qualified tenders (which is not held centrally and cannot otherwise be obtained except at disproportionate cost):
	
		
			  FCO's ICT contracts over £l million as at May 2006 
			  Title of contract  Number of qualified tenders  Supplier  Period of contract  Total value of contract when let (£ million) 
			 Compass 8 WorldReach (Canada) June 2001 to June 2006 1,500,000 
			 GenIE/ GenIE Worldwide (Replaced by Biometrics contract—see below) — 3M/AIT April 1999 to March 2009 3,000,000 
			 Biometric Passports 1 3M UK pic April 2005 to April 2009 6,500,000 
			 Focus — Fujitsu Consulting January 2002 to March 2003 10,500,000 
			 Focus (Knowledge Management) — Fujitsu Consulting March 2003 to December 2005 1,087,000 
			 FCONet2 (FCO's Intranet) — Fujitsu Services November 2004 to October 2005 2,077,000 
			 WIOL Project Management — Fujitsu April 2003 to February 2005 1,090,000 
			 WIOL/WIPA Technical refresh. — Fujitsu March 2006 to March 2007 1,773,262 
			 Cash Registers (world-wide maintenance and support) — Wincor Nixdorf Ltd September 2003 to September 2008 1,500,000 
			 Consultancy Services — AKC June 2003 to May 2005 5,000,000 
			 Firecrest Global Support — Hewlett Packard May 2001 to April 2005 5,000,000 
			 Future Firecrest 7 Hewlett Packard February 2005 to February 20l2 189,500,000 
			 ICT—provision of technical installers for overseas installations — Serco Defence January 2003 to December 2005 1,238,000 
			 FCO global telecommunications network (PFI) — Global Crossing May 2000 to April 2010 180,000,000 
			 Implementation of ICT Strategy and Pre-procurement of Future Firecrest (Stage 2c and 3) — KPMG from May 2002 3,329,000 
			 Implementation of ICT Strategy and Pre-procurement FF (Stage 3) — AKC from Aug 2004 1,700,000 
			 E-Archive services (Minerva) — British Telecom November 1996 to March 2007 1,500,000 
			 * Internet Project — LogicaCMG from March 2002 6,500,000 
			 * FCO Website—support and maintenance — LogicaCMG March 2005 to March 2008 1,401,000 
			 Prism integrated accounting, HP and procurement system 5 CGEY January 2002 to January 2010 53,800,000 
			 Enterprise Agreement — Microsoft June 2006 to June 2009 5,100,000 
		
	
	Only two web-related contracts over £1 million are listed. These are the Internet Project and the FCO Website support and maintenance contracts awarded to LogicaCMG. Details of web-related projects initiated under devolved arrangements are not available centrally; the five most expensive non-web contracts are, in descending order of value: Future Firecrest, FCO Global Telecommunications Network (FTN), Prism, Focus and Biometric Passports.

Departmental Structure

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes to  (a) her Department's structures and  (b) the Minister of Europe's role have been made since 5 May; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Entry Clearance (United States)

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what representations her Department has made to United States authorities on behalf of UK citizens in possession of a valid US visa who have been detained or denied entry by the US Immigration Service;
	(2)  how many staff in her Department are employed in dealing with complaints by UK citizens in possession of a valid US visa who have been detained or denied entry by the US Immigration Service;
	(3)  what meetings  (a) Ministers in her Department and  (b) diplomatic and consular staff have had with US authorities to discuss UK citizens in possession of a valid US visa who have been detained or denied entry by the US Immigration Service;
	(4)  when  (a) Ministers in her Department and  (b) diplomatic and consular staff plan to meet the US authorities to discuss UK citizens in possession of a valid US visa who have been detained or denied entry by the US Immigration Service.

Kim Howells: Although it is not appropriate for the UK to interfere in the immigration policies of foreign Governments, British officials meet their American counterparts regularly to raise issues and concerns as they arise including, when necessary, individual cases of British Nationals who have experienced difficulties at US ports of entry. Consular officials are planning to meet members of the United States embassy's consular operation later this month to discuss visa requirements. Most recently, my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, accompanied by the Director of Consular Services, met the US Ambassador on 23 October 2006 to discuss Consular issues.
	In London two officers deal full-time with consular matters arising in North America. They are supported by a wide range of more senior officials in London and the United States as the need arises.

EU Migration Strategy

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the implementation of the EU migration strategy "The Global Approach to Migration: priority actions focussing on Africa and the Mediterranean"; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: I have been asked to reply.
	The "EU Global Approach to migration" strategy was agreed under the UK presidency of the EU.
	As one part of the operational response to this strategy, Frontex (the EU Borders Agency) has contributed to operations to reduce illegal immigration to the EU. This has clear benefits to reducing flows to the UK via the Mediterranean and from the west coast of Africa. Frontex has facilitated the sharing of analysis and immigration intelligence on illegal immigration routes into the EU so helping the UK and others to work on dismantling the criminal networks behind those routes.
	The "Global Approach" strategy also encourages dialogue between the EU and Africa on migration and development with a view to joint working and improved co-operation, including building capacity to prevent illegal immigration. The July Euro-Africa regional ministerial conference on migration and development in Rabat brought EU and west African states together for the first time on a common agenda for action. The upcoming EU-pan Africa ministerial meeting will provide a further opportunity to form a joint approach, with states, this time throughout Africa.
	Many of the actions in the "Global Approach" will be implemented over the longer term. In particular, development aid and assistance that helps to eradicate the root causes of illegal immigration will continue to form part of individual member states' and the EC's collective response to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals for the foreseeable future.
	The European Council in December will receive a report from the European Commission noting progress so far on the "Global Approach" strategy as well as indicating areas in which the Commission considers future action will be needed. On the basis of this report, the European Council will determine the EU's next steps.

Extraordinary Rendition

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she last discussed extraordinary rendition with her US counterpart.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK's claim is to territorial water surrounding Gibraltar.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Guantanamo Bay

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she last discussed the status of Guantanamo Bay prison with her US counterpart.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

India (Staff Numbers)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff are employed at  (a) the High Commission and  (b) each Deputy High Commission in India; where each is based; and what the job description is of each.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Iran to the EU High Representative during recent P5+1 discussions on the  (a) P5+1 set of proposals agreed in Vienna on 1 June,  (b) conditions for negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme and  (c) suspension of nuclear enrichment by Iran as resolved by the UN Security Council; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Iran

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the risk to regional security posed by Iran's nuclear programme.

Kim Howells: The proliferation of nuclear weapons in the middle east would pose a serious threat to the region's stability and security.
	We remain deeply concerned by Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has not met the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors and the UN Security Council, including the requirement that it should suspend all uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. This is essential to build confidence that the intentions of Iran's nuclear programme are exclusively peaceful.
	We remain committed to a negotiated solution, and regret that Iran has not taken the steps that would enable negotiations to begin on the basis of the proposals presented in June by Javier Solana on behalf of the E3+3 (UK, France, Germany + US, Russia, China). These proposals would form the basis of a long term agreement: they offer Iran everything it needs to develop a modern civil nuclear power industry in return for restoring international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of its nuclear programme.
	We are determined that Iran should comply fully with its obligations. E3+3 Foreign Ministers met in London on 6 October and agreed that Iran's failure to comply with Security Council Resolution 1696, and take the steps that would enable a return to negotiations, leaves no option but to seek a new Security Council Resolution adopting measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter. We are now discussing a draft with other members of the Security Council.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of reports that Iran has begun operating a second 164-machine cascade at its Natanz nuclear facility; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Iraq

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what relationship the US-Iraq high-level working group on security announced in Washington on 28 October 2006 will have to the existing Joint Committee on Transfer Security Responsibility; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Iraq

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what role the UK will have in the US-Iraq high-level working group on security announced in Washington on 28 October 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Iraq

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of regime change in Iraq on regimes in North Korea and Iran.

Ian McCartney: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) ambition and efforts to acquire nuclear weapons date from at least the 1980s. Since 2002, the United States has given the DPRK repeated assurances that it has no intention to attack or invade, and that it backs a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue through the Six Party Talks. Although some official statements from the DPRK have referred to US military action in Iraq as justifying their recent actions, we do not believe the DPRK would have adopted a different course if we had not taken action in Iraq.
	Many elements in the Iranian regime believe Saddam Hussein's fall removed a significant threat to Iran's security. Since 2003, Iran has sought to improve ties with the Iraqi authorities, including through high-level contacts and the development of economic and religious links. Iran has said that it wants multi-national forces to leave Iraq as soon as possible and we remain deeply concerned at Iran's links to Shia extremists who have carried out attacks on them. Our concerns about other Iranian policies—for example, in areas such as its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, support for terrorism, attitude towards Israel and lack of respect for human rights—predate 2003 and have continued since then.

Kosovo

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the  (a) US Administration,  (b) EU and  (c) UN on the future of Kosovo.

Ian McCartney: The Government have remained in close touch with the US, EU and UN and other members of the Contact Group (Russia, France, Germany, Italy, EU Council Secretariat and NATO) as the Kosovo Final Status Process has moved forward. This has included discussions at official and ministerial level.

Mexico

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations UK representatives in Mexico have made to the government of Mexico on events in Oaxaca state; what local society groups UK mission staff have met; and what visits have been made by UK representatives to that state.

Ian McCartney: Since May 2006, there have been a number of protests in the city of Oaxaca, some of which have turned violent. On 27 October, three people were killed and federal troops arrived in Oaxaca city under the orders of President Fox on 28 October.The situation there remains tense.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the situation in Oaxaca with the Mexican Foreign Minister, Ernesto Derbez, on 4 October during her visit to Mexico. Our embassy in Mexico City is currently running a restorative justice project in Oaxaca with non-governmental organisation Proderecho. The embassy last visited Oaxaca in May 2006, as part of this project. The embassy also has a Consular Correspondent in Oaxaca state who provides assistance to British nationals in need of consular help.

Middle East

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions  (a) she and  (b) members of her Department have had with (i) the United Nations Secretary General and (ii) his representatives on proposals to resolve the status of the Shebaa Farms area in accordance with UNSCR 1701; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Ministerial Visits

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will  (a) place in the Library and  (b) post on her departmental website copies of (i) speeches made and (ii) agreements concluded during her visit to India on 2 to8 November; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Ministerial Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions she has visited  (a) Scotland,  (b) Wales and  (c) Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Missing Persons (Balkans)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding her Department has made available for initiatives to track down persons missing after wars in the Balkans in the 1990s in each year since the end of overt hostilities.

Ian McCartney: Since 2000, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) has provided financial support to both the International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP) based in Sarajevo and the Office for Missing Persons and Forensics (OMPF) in Kosovo. They assist efforts to locate and identify persons still missing after the war in the Western Balkans.
	Funding was provided as follows;
	
		
			   £ 
			  ICMP  
			 2000 41,982 
			 2001 140,000 
			 2002 250,000 
			 2003 250,000 
			 2004 323,491 
			 2005 380,044 
			   
			  OMPF  
			 2004-05 142,713 
		
	
	In addition, a further £514,139 (ICMP—£371,282 and OMPF—£142,857) has been allocated from the 2006-07 GCPP to provide additional support.

Moldova

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect on Moldova of Romanian entry into the EU.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Nigeria

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to her answer of 12 July 2006 to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois),  Official Report, column 1913W, on Nigeria, if she will place a copy of the letter in the Library.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

North Korea

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the nature of the device exploded in the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea on8 October; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Official Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of which official residences she has use.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Official Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions she has visited each region in an official capacity in the last 12 months.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Palestine

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the project damage assessment database maintained by the European Commission relating to the destruction by Israeli forces of Palestinian infrastructure and facilities financed by the EU and other donors; and what is the total value of the damage listed in the database.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Palestinian Authority

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the extent to which the Palestinian Authority commitments agreed at the March 2005 London Meeting on Supporting the Palestinian Authority have been met; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Peru

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the government of Peru on  (a) sexual equality and  (b) tackling discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Ian McCartney: We have an ongoing dialogue with the Peruvian Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, on a range of human rights issues. While we have not had any recent discussions on the specific issues to which the hon. Member refers, we will continue to monitor all aspects of the human rights situation in Peru and make representations to the Peruvian Government when appropriate.

Rocket Attacks (Middle East)

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of trends in the  (a) frequency and  (b) severity of rocket attacks into southern Israel from Northern Gaza in the last week of October 2006.

Ian McCartney: According to the UN Office forthe Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, between 18-31 October, at least 46 home-made rockets and three anti-tank rockets were fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip towards targets inside Israel. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on3 November, we call for an immediate end to the launching of rockets against Israeli civilian targets, and to all forms of violence. Violence serves only to undermine the prospects for peace in the region.

Rocket Attacks (Middle East)

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the  (a) specific objectives,  (b) proportionality and  (c) effectiveness in achieving objectives of Israeli military strikes on Northern Gaza on 1 and 2 November; and what representations she(i) has made and (ii) is planning to make in respect of those attacks.

Ian McCartney: On 1 November the Israel Defence Force (IDF) launched military operations in Northern Gaza. The IDF have said these are limited operations against targets in the Gaza Strip to suppress the smuggling of weapons, counter Qassam rockets and to secure the release of Corporal Shalit.
	As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 3 November
	"We are concerned by increased violence in Gaza, in particular by reports of civilian deaths. We deeply regret the deaths of civilians on both sides of the conflict, and would like to remind all parties of their obligation under international humanitarian law to avoid civilian casualties."
	We maintain that Israel has a right to defend itself but any action should be proportionate and in accordance with international humanitarian law. Our embassy in Tel Aviv has raised this with the Israeli Government.

Sri Lanka

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the breakdown of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers in Geneva; which obstacles have blocked the progression of these talks; and what support the Government will commit to achieve lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the East Sudan peace talks; and what support the UK Government are providing to those talks.

Ian McCartney: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Syria

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when she last met the Syrian Foreign Minister; and when a Minister from her Department last met a Syrian counterpart.

Kim Howells: pursuant to the reply, 26 October 2006, Official Report, c. 2076W
	I regret that an inaccurate answer was given to part of the hon. Member's question. The answer given states that the last official ministerial contact with Syria was when my noble Friend the right. hon. Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean visited in 2003. In fact the last official contact with a Syrian ministerial counterpart was when Baroness Symons visited Syria in 2004.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Adverse Drug Reactions

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the  (a) number of adverse drug reactions occurring in the Province in each of the last five years and  (b) costs resulting from such reactions in each year.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of people who suffered adverse reactions to pharmaceuticals is not available. Information is available on those who were admitted to hospital and had a diagnosis of an adverse reaction to drugs.
	Table 1 details the number of admissions to hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of adverse reactions to drugs, for each year between 2001-02 and 2005-06 (the latest financial year for which data are available). It should be noted that any individual could have been admitted to hospital more than once over the course of a year or over a number of years and would therefore be counted more than once in the table.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Admissions( 1) due to adverse reactions to drugs( 2) 
			 2001-02 1,766 
			 2002-03 1,520 
			 2003-04 1,605 
			 2004-05 1,654 
			 2005-06 1,651 
			 (1) Discharges and deaths are used as an approximation to admissions. (2) Drugs refers to drugs, medicaments and biological substances causing adverse effects in therapeutic use.  Source:  Hospital Inpatients System. 
		
	
	Table two details the cost of episodes arising in a hospital day case or inpatient environment, which were specifically identified as including adverse reactions to medication.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			   Cost (£ million) 
			 2002-03 2.2 
			 2003-04 2.5 
			 2004-05 2.9 
		
	
	These figures may not reflect the complete cost for all treatments resulting from adverse reactions to medications as they may not have been specifically identified within the hospital coding system. The above costs do not include related treatments in primary, community and outpatient settings.
	Cost information for other years is not available.

Alcohol-related Crime

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been convicted of crimes in which alcohol has been a contributory factor in each of the last three years.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people in the Province who suffer from asbestos-related illnesses.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related illness in Northern Ireland is not available. However data on the number of hospital in-patients in Northern Ireland with a diagnosis of asbestos-related illness are available.
	For this analysis asbestos-related illnesses have been defined, using the tenth revisions of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), as Mesothelioma, Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibres, and Pleural Plaque including pleural thickening with the presence of asbestos.
	During 2005-06 (the latest year for which data are available), the total number of admissions(1) to hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of these asbestos-related illnesses was 465. Of these 191 related to mesothelioma admissions.
	Figures for admissions for asbestos-related lung cancer cannot be obtained as this cancer is clinically indistinguishable from the more commonly occurring lung cancers unrelated to occupational exposure. However statisticians in the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain estimate roughly equal numbers of asbestos-related lung cancers as there are mesothelioma cases.
	(1) Discharges and deaths are used as an approximation to admissions. It should be noted that any individual could have been admitted to hospital more than once over the course of the year and would therefore be counted more than once in the figures.

Assets Recovery Agency

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much in cash and assets has been seized in Northern Ireland by the Assets Recovery Agency in each year since its formation.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Attacks on NHS Staff

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of  (a) verbal and  (b) physical violence against NHS staff occurred in each health trust in the Province in each of the last three years.

Paul Goggins: Details of  (a) verbal and  (b) physical violent incidents against Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) staff since April 2004 are set out in the following Tables A and B.
	Details prior to April 2004 are not recorded centrally.
	
		
			  Table A: Total number of verbal incidents 
			  Trust  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07( 1) 
			 Altnagelvin 121 121 28 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 34 21 28 
			 Belfast City 149 71 50 
			 Causeway 15 54 44 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 104 150 62 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital 63 30 52 
			 Down Lisburn 157 149 67 
			 Foyle 151 210 67 
			 Greenpark 41 7 2 
			 Homefirst 60 77 79 
			 Mater 45 81 62 
			 Newry and Mourne 65 108 73 
			 North and West Belfast 42 94 29 
			 NI Ambulance Service 17 31 35 
			 Royal 97 159 65 
			 South and East Belfast 126 126 38 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 84 75 169 
			 Ulster 106 76 34 
			 United 144 144 31 
			 (1 )Figures are incomplete and only available for the six-monthly period 1 April 2006 - 30 September 2006. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Total number of physical incidents 
			  Trust  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07( 1) 
			 Altnagelvin 60 64 23 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 174 198 118 
			 Belfast City 132 95 41 
			 Causeway 60 110 92 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 87 91 30 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital 79 66 33 
			 Down Lisburn 517 455 301 
			 Foyle 177 322 104 
			 Greenpark 42 14 5 
			 Homefirst 471 433 270 
			 Mater 135 157 111 
			 Newry and Mourne 44 46 21 
			 North and West Belfast 746 662 287 
			 NI Ambulance Service 74 38 45 
			 Royal 114 119 63 
			 South and East Belfast 250 257 165 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 242 110 451 
			 Ulster 275 240 82 
			 United 144 112 59 
			 (1) Figures are incomplete and only available for the six-monthly period 1 April 2006 - 30 September 2006.

Audiology

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the average waiting time is in Northern Ireland for a digital hearing aid;
	(2)  what the average waiting time was in Northern Ireland for a first hearing aid in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the average waiting time for a digital hearing aid and the average waiting time for a first hearing aid is not collected centrally. However, information is collected on the number of people waiting for a hearing assessment/re-assessment at the end of each quarter, according to specified time bands. Waiting time is counted from the date a referral is received by the audiology department until the end of the quarter.
	All new patients assessed as requiring a hearing aid are fitted with a digital hearing aid. Analogue aids are normally issued only as replacements to current users of analogue aids for whom a digital hearing aid is unsuitable. Preliminary information on the number of persons waiting for hearing assessment/re-assessmentis shown in the table, in respect of the position at31 March 2006, the date for which information has been first collected.
	
		
			  Months  Persons waiting for hearing assessment/re-assessment at 31 March 2006( 1) 
			 < 3 528 
			 3 to 6 391 
			 6 to 12 1,089 
			 > 12 112 
			 Total 2,120 
			 (1) Information refers to both children and adults waiting assessment. 
		
	
	At 31 March 2006, audiology departments reported that no persons aged under 18 were waiting for hearing assessment/re-assessment at 31 March 2006.

Bamford Review

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the recommendations from the 'Equal Lives' report of the Bamford Review; and what steps he has taken to implement the recommendations of the report.

Paul Goggins: Departmental officials have considered the recommendations in 'Equal Lives' and many are outside the responsibility of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The report calls for cross-departmental working, to support people with a learning disability. For this reason an Inter-Departmental Task Force is being established, to be chaired by the Northern Ireland Director for Mental Health and Learning Disability. A service framework will be developed to take forward the recommendations contained in 'Equal Lives'.

Benefit Fraud

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been prosecuted in Northern Ireland for  (a) benefits fraud and  (b) illegal dumping in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: The number of people who have been prosecuted in each of the last five years for benefits fraud and illegal dumping in Northern Ireland is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Benefits fraud 
			   Number of people prosecuted 
			 2002 471 
			 2003 335 
			 2004 243 
			 2005 236 
			 2006 246 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Illegal dumping 
			   Number of people prosecuted 
			 2002 n/a 
			 2003 4 
			 2004 24 
			 2005 59 
			 2006 86

Benefit Fraud

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been recouped in fines for benefit fraud in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years; and what the total cost was of bringing prosecutions for that offence.

David Hanson: The Social Security Agency is committed to a robust approach to tackling fraud and deploys a series of sanctions against offenders including formal cautions, administrative penalties and prosecution.
	The Agency refers the most serious cases of fraud to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPSNI), which has overall responsibility for deciding whether a potential case meets both the evidential and the public interest tests, to consider prosecution.
	In respect of cases prosecuted by the Public Prosecution Service, the fines imposed in each of the last two years were as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2004 13,509 
			 2005 19,040 
		
	
	The PPSNI holds no information on whether the fines imposed were paid or information on whether benefits fraudulently claimed were otherwise recouped. PPSNI does not hold information on the costs of prosecuting particular types of case. While some unit costs may be identifiable, the overall cost to the service of any case it prosecutes, as a percentage of the overall cost of its total workload, is not.
	Where a criminal case is successfully prosecuted in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Court Service records the amount of fines imposed and paid. I have been advised that, while information is held on the amount of fines imposed and paid each year, information is not held on the reasons for fines such as benefit fraud. However, this information will be available in the future due to the implementation of a new court IT system, 'ICOS'.
	Neither the Agency nor the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland keep information relating to the costs of individual prosecutions for particular types of cases. Information is therefore not available to answer the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question.

Bowel Cancer

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in each of the last 10 years; how many people died as a result of bowel cancer in each year; and if he will introduce a bowel cancer screening programme in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The following table details the incidence and deaths due to bowel cancer (ICD-10 C18-C21) in Northern Ireland for the most recent 10-year period for which data are available. The incidence data have been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and the mortality data have been provided by Demography and Methodology Branch, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
	
		
			   Incidence  Mortality 
			 1995 983 454 
			 1996 968 427 
			 1997 910 413 
			 1998 931 443 
			 1999 907 410 
			 2000 880 413 
			 2001 950 401 
			 2002 923 383 
			 2003 995 464 
			 2004 955 430 
			 2005(1) n/a 435 
			 (1 )The 2005 mortality data are provisional until the publication of the Registrar General's Annual Report at the end of November 2006. Incidence data are currently not available for 2005.  Note: The data include the small number of cancers of the anus per annum. 
		
	
	The UK National Screening Committee (NSC)has considered the case for bowel screening and recommended that a population programme should be introduced. I would wish to see such a programme introduced in Northern Ireland. Before a programme could be implemented in Northern Ireland, significant planning, infrastructure development and capacity building are required to ensure that the necessary resources, people and skills are in place to ensure a quality service. My Department is working with the health service to enhance the capacity of the symptomatic service, with the aim to introduce screening in 2009.

Cannabis

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken in the Province to increase awareness of the risks of cannabis use.

Paul Goggins: Education about the harmful effects of cannabis is included in mainstream education. A range of information is provided by teachers, youth workers, voluntary organisations and the police.
	We have commissioned the Health Promotion Agency to carry out research into the misuse of alcohol and cannabis by young people in Northern Ireland. This study will investigate the context in which alcohol and cannabis are taken by young people, as well as their attitudes, understanding and perceptions of risk.
	Further research will seek to identify the best way to communicate with young people about the harm that drugs do.
	We intend to launch an awareness campaign early next spring. This will be supported by a similar campaign for parents on how to talk to young people about cannabis and other substance misuse issues.

Cash in Transit Crews

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps his Department is taking to tackle attacks on Cash in Transit crews; and whether tackling such attacks is part of his Department's wider strategies to combat organised crime.

Paul Goggins: Police are working closely with representatives from the cash in transit industry within the framework of the Organised Crime Task Force Expert Group. They have developed a risk matrix which has helped to identify high risk delivery locations and a joint control room has also been established to co-ordinate deliveries. Additional police cover is provided as appropriate. The control room has been an important factor in helping to combat attacks and in reducing the amounts stolen and police will continue to work alongside the industry to ensure that the downward trend in such attacks is maintained.

Cataract Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in each health trust area in the Province are waiting for cataract surgery; how many people in each area received such surgery in each of the last five years; what the average waiting time for surgery was in each area in the last period for which figures are available; and what the longest timeis for which a patient has been waiting for cataract surgery in each area.

Paul Goggins: The total number of patients waiting for cataract surgery for each applicable health trust at 30 June 2006 (the latest available validated statistics) is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Patients waiting for cataract surgery at 30 June 2006 
			  HSS trust  Number 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals 361 
			 Craigavon Area 153 
			 Down Lisburn 198 
			 Mater 549 
			 Royal Group 659 
			 Total 1,920 
			  Source: Departmental Information Return PFA 211. 
		
	
	The number of people who received cataract surgery in each of the last five years for which data are available is detailed in the following table, broken down by the health trust providing the treatment.
	
		
			  Number( 1 ) of people who received cataract surgery each year 
			  Trust  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02 
			 Altnagelvin 1,278 1,248 1,187 1,115 1,110 
			 Craigavon Area 602 432 453 479 306 
			 Down Lisburn 512 472 589 178 126 
			 Mater 1,595 1,363 1,460 1,318 1,235 
			 Royal Group 3,842 3,872 3,835 3,765 3,748 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 197 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 8,026 7,387 7,524 6,855 6,525 
			 (1) The number of people who received cataract surgery has been approximated using postcode and date of birth as at present no unique identifier exists that can match individuals across hospitals.  Source: Hospital In-patient System. 
		
	
	Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for cataract surgery. It is however possible to identify the median or mid-point and longest waiting time band in each applicable health trust area in the Province.
	
		
			  Patients waiting for cataract surgery at 30 June 2006 
			   Waiting time band 
			  HSS trust  Median (Months)  Longest (Months) 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals 0-2 3-5 
			 Craigavon Area 0-2 3-5 
			 Down Lisburn 0-2 3-5 
			 Mater 0-2 6-8 
			 Royal Group 0-2 6-8 
			 Total 0-2 6-8 
			  Source: Departmental Information Return PFA 211.

Children and Young People Strategy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how the interests of the  (a) statutory,  (b) voluntary and  (c) community sectors will be represented on the implementation structures for the Children and Young People's Strategy;
	(2)  what the timetable is for the development of the Action Plan for the Children's and Young People's Strategy;
	(3)  when the implementation structures for the Children's and Young People's Strategy are expected to be established.

Maria Eagle: Officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with key stakeholders, including the statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to hear their views on how best to shape the implementation arrangements and to ensure appropriate representation on the implementation structures for the Children and Young People's Strategy. Account is also being taken of emerging roles and structures under the new public reform arrangements.
	We are currently in the process of finalising the first children and young people's action plan, which will set out how we intend to deliver on our strategic aims by identifying concrete and time-bound actions. I intend to publish the action plan before the end of the year.
	Work is under way to establish a number of implementation groups, which will advise on progress of the 10-year Strategy for children and young people and Action Plan. These include a Strategy Planning and Review Group, a Research and Information Group, a Parents' Advisory Group and a Practitioners' Group. It is intended to have all groups set up by January 2007.

Civil Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether civil servants will be able to choose to remain as employees of the Northern Ireland Civil Service under proposals in  (a) the Review of Public Administration and  (b) Workplace 2010.

David Hanson: The RPA will be implemented, by legislation, following the principles of Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), on the basis that transfers of functions will be conducted so that staff will transfer with their work. On the date of transfer, the new organisation will be the legal employer. Under TUPE arrangements, the Northern Ireland Civil Service would be obliged to treat the refusal to transfer as a resignation.
	Under the Workplace 2010 contract it is planned that the private sector partner will, in the future, provide the majority of services currently provided by support staff in those properties which transfer as part of the contract. A key consideration for Government in reaching conclusions on the services to be provided by the private sector partner will be the safeguarding of terms and conditions of employment in the event of any staff transfers.

Civil Service Protocols

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what protocols are in place on civil servants in his Department contacting members of the public to seek information at home on Saturdays and Sundays.

David Hanson: There are no central protocols regarding civil servants contacting members of the public to seek information at home on Saturdays and Sundays.
	However, where the business needs requires it, it is sometimes necessary for civil servants to contact members of the public at the weekend. In these circumstances, individual arrangements relating to the particular business needs are in place.

Complaints against GPs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints were made against general practitioners in each health board area in the Province in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is presented in the following table:
	
		
			   EHSSB  NHSSB  SHSSB  WHSSB  Total 
			 2001-02 279 134 80 123 616 
			 2002-03 219 135 97 160 611 
			 2003-04 236 134 114 103 587 
			 2004-05 219 160 132 154 665 
			 2005-06 294 153 120 140 707

Cycling

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy has progressed across the Province; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how the Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy has been progressed across the Province; and if he will make a statement. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	You will be aware that the Northern Ireland Cycling Strategy was published in 2000 and contains a number of actions aimed at improving conditions for cycling and establishing a pro cycling culture. These actions were assigned to bodies within the public, private and voluntary sectors.
	Progress against the Strategy is monitored by the NI Cycling Forum on which DRD is an active participant. The Forum, containing representatives from individuals and organisations with an interest in cycling, published a report on progress against the various actions in the NI Cycling Strategy in 2002. I understand that a second report is at an advanced stage of preparation and the Forum hopes to publish this shortly.
	From a Roads Service perspective, we have been actively monitoring progress against the headline targets in the strategy (doubling cycle trips by 2005, quadrupling trips by 2015) in our annual Cycle Usage Survey. The increases noted in cycle usage figures between 2000 and 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 For all sites surveyed(1) +25.8 
			 For all sites surveyed on the National Cycle Network(2) +31.4 
			 For 10 sites in the Greater Belfast area +56.6 
			 (1 )31 locations throughout Northern Ireland. (2 )13 of the above 31 locations which are located throughout Northern Ireland 
		
	
	The Department's Regional Transportation Strategy(2002-12) recognised cycling as a mode of transport and the development of cycling measures within its 3 supporting transport plans (the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, the Regional Strategic Network Transport Plan and the draft Sub-Regional Transport Plan) also aims to promote the objectives of the NI Cycling Strategy. As these plans are implemented, we will of course monitor their outcomes.

Cycling

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cyclists have been  (a) injured and  (b) killed in road traffic accidents in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: It has not been possible to answer the hon. Member's question in this parliamentary session.

Departmental Expenditure

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland pursuant to his answer of14 December 2005,  Official Report, column 2095W, how much was spent on  (a) new furnishings,  (b) art and  (c) new vehicles for each year since the suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly in each department other than DHSPPS.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spenton organising and hosting conferences in the last12 months.

Peter Hain: In the last 12 months the Northern Ireland Office has spent £65,912(1) on organising and hosting conferences.
	(1) This figure excludes spend by the British Irish Secretariat as they have hosted conferences jointly with the British and Irish Governments and to provide a breakdown could not be done without incurring disproportionate costs.

Departmental Redundancies

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many redundancies there were in his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of such redundancies was in each year; how many temporary staff were employed in each year; and how many staff were seconded by outside organisations to posts within the Department in each year.

Paul Goggins: The number of redundancies within the Northern Ireland Office Core Department for the period 1997 to date is nil.
	The total number of redundancies from the Northern Ireland Prison Service for the period 1997 to date are identified in the table. All redundancies relate to prison grade staff only.
	
		
			   Number of Prison Service redundancies 
			 1997 83 
			 1998 3 
			 1999 210 
			 2000 847 
			 2001 31 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 0 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2006 0 
		
	
	The total cost of redundancies from the Northern Ireland Prison Service for the period 1997 to date are identified in the table. All costs relate to prison grade staff only. Although from 2001 there have been no redundancies, there have been ongoing costs for annual compensation payments made to staff until they reach minimum retirement age.
	
		
			  Financial Year  Redundancy costs (£ million) 
			 1997-98 (1)— 
			 1998-99 3.6 
			 1999-2000 6.3 
			 2000-01 109.9 
			 2001-02 4.0 
			 2002-03 3.3 
			 2004-05 2.4 
			 2005-06 1.4 
			 2006-07 0.1 
			 (1) No available records. 
		
	
	The number of staff employed on a temporary basis for the same period including casual staff and staff employed under the new deal scheme, and the number of staff seconded by outside organisations to within the Department is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Temporary staff employed  Number of secondments into NIO 
			 1997 22 — 
			 1998 35 8 
			 1999 22 8 
			 2000 17 6 
			 2001 28 5 
			 2002 37 15 
			 2003 18 4 
			 2004 30 4 
			 2005 54 4 
			 2006 40 2

Departmental Staff

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many disabled people were hired by his Department in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what percentage of the overall workforce these figures represented in each year; and how many disabled people left their employment in his Department over the same period.

Paul Goggins: With the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the requirement to register as disabled was abolished, and information on disability is now provided by staff on a voluntary basis.
	The following table provides details of the number of disabled staff hired by the Northern Ireland Office in each of the last five years; the percentage of the overall workforce these figures represent in each year; and the number of disabled people who left their employment in the Northern Ireland Office over the same period.
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Number of disabled staff appointed 1 0 4 5 1 
			 Percentage of overall workforce 0.07 0 0.27 0.32 0.0 
			 Percentage of the number of staff recruited 1 0 3 6 1 
			 Number of disabled staff who left employment 4 4 5 4 4 
		
	
	Percentages shown are calculated as a percentage of total manpower figures at 30 September each year.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; what proportion of the total workforce they represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid has been; what the largest single payment was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is set out in the following table and comprises bonuses paid under the Special Bonus Scheme, and the performance management arrangements for all Northern Ireland Office staff at senior civil service (SCS) level and below.
	
		
			   Reporting year 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Number of staff received bonus 728 809 1,670 1,731 1,024 
			 Proportion of total workforce (percentage) 46.6 46.2 91.9 90.7 49.2 
			 Total amount of bonuses (£) 172,456 231,005 475,080 629,742 686,425 
			 Largest single payment (£) 9,600 10,400 10,080 12,000 11,000 
		
	
	The Northern Ireland Office established a non consolidated bonus pot to reward performance in the 2003-04 reporting year for staff below SCS. In 2003-04 and 2004-05 it rewarded three levels of performance. In 2005-06 the scheme was amended and is now targeted at exceptional performance.
	These bonuses are non-consolidated and non-pensionable and therefore do not have associated future costs for pay bill.

Departmental Staff (Bicycles)

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what tax-efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles his Department makes available to its employees; how many and what percentage of his Department's staff purchased bicycles through such schemes in 2005-06; whether the schemes are available through a range of suppliers; and whether arrangements are made to enable staff with disabilities to purchase adapted bicycles from a specialist supplier.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office does not offer any tax-efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles to its employees at present. We do, however, offer an advance of up to £400 for the purchase of a bicycle and associated safety equipment, which is repayable in equal monthly instalments within one year. In 2005-06, one member of staff took advantage of the advance scheme. As we offer money, rather than vouchers, staff can decide for themselves which suppliers to use, and if necessary can purchase adapted bicycles from a specialist supplier. In addition, the Access to Work scheme, run by Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland and Department for Work and Pensions in Great Britain, is available to those staff with disabilities who require assistance to travel to work.

Departmental Staff (Criminal Activity)

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff members in his Department have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted following fraud charges since 1997.

Paul Goggins: No members of staff employed within the Northern Ireland Office have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted following fraud charges since 1997.

Diabetes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which  (a) health boards and  (b) NHS trusts in the Province have early intervention plans for tackling diabetes.

Paul Goggins: Each of the health and social services boards has a range of initiatives under way to raise awareness of diabetes and to reinforce the public health message of the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation in preventing diabetes and in slowing down the onset of complications, such as eye, renal and heart disease, which people with diabetes may develop.
	In 2006-07 the Department has invested £1 millionin the General Medical Services Contract for the development of a GP practice-based service for the early detection and follow-up of people with diabetes. All GPs and other health care professionals working in HSS trusts have protocols in place to ensure that people with diabetes are proactively managed to reduce as far as possible the risk of complications.
	Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in Northern Ireland. The health and social services boards have introduced a comprehensive eye screening programme to detect signs of eye disease in its early stages. The programme will be available to all people with diabetes over12 years of age in 2007.

Diabetes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the number of children and adolescents in the Province who  (a) suffer from diabetes and  (b) are at risk of developing diabetes.

Paul Goggins: Official estimates of the number of children and adolescents who suffer from diabetesare not available. However, under the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the General Medical Services contract, the number of GP-registered patients aged 17 and over with diabetes mellitus is recorded.
	As at 14 February 2006, there were 54,950 patients (3.1 per cent. of GP-registered patients) on the QOF diabetes mellitus register in Northern Ireland. This includes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. (Source: Payment Calculation and Analysis System).
	In 2005, the expected number of the population aged 0-19 years in Northern Ireland with Type 1 diabetes, most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents, is 992 (0.2 per cent. of population aged 0-19 years).
	Estimates of the number of children and adolescents who are at risk of developing diabetes are not available.

Disabled Persons Accommodation

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision under Planning Policy Statement 14 has been made for the building of accommodation in rural areas for disabled persons requiring independent living accommodation close to family.

David Cairns: Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 does not include specific provision for the building of independent living accommodation for disabled persons close to their families, although the existing and unchanged policy HOU 16 (House Extensions) facilitates extensions to existing houses to provide partially self-contained accommodation. Draft Planning Policy Statement 14 has been subject to public consultation. All responses are being fully considered before a final policy is adopted.

Drink-Driving

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people charged with drink-driving incidents have not been brought before court in Northern Ireland within  (a) three months and  (b) six months over the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students in each Education and library board area are receiving education maintenance allowance.

Maria Eagle: The deadline for applications for the 2006-07 academic year is 31 March 2007. The Student Loans Company (SLC), which administers the scheme in Northern Ireland, is still receiving and processing applications. As at 31 October 2006, 19,766 applications had been received of which 12,585 have been approved as follows:
	
		
			  AY 2006-07  Number 
			 North Eastern Education Library Board 2,366 
			 South Eastern Education Library Board 1,622 
			 Southern Education Library Board 2,887 
			 Western Education Library Board 3,142 
			 Belfast Education Library Board 2,568 
			 Total to date 12,585

Energy From Waste

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many expressions of interest were received by the Department for Trade, Enterprise and Investment for energy from waste projects; and if he will make a statement on the range of projects indicated.

Maria Eagle: The Energy from Waste call resulted in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment receiving 54 submissions with proposals for projects. Although detailed analysis is just getting underway, the early indications are that we have a broad and interesting range of proposals.

ENT Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many patients are waiting for  (a) ear, nose and throat in-patient admission and  (b) out-patient assessment in each health trust area in the Province;
	(2)  what the  (a) average and  (b) longest waiting time is in each health trust area in the Province for (i) initial ear, nose and throat out-patient assessment and (ii) ear, nose and throat in-patient admission.

Paul Goggins: The (i) total number of patients waiting for  (a) ear, nose and throat in-patient admission and  (b) ear, nose and throat out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment) for each applicable Health Trust at 30 June 2006 (the latest available validated statistics) is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Patients waiting for ear, nose and throat in-patient admission/ out-patient assessment at 30 June 2006 
			   Total waiting 
			  HSS Trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Royal Group 774 4,340 
			 Belfast City 821 1,452 
			 Ulster Hospitals 205 2,253 
			 Down Lisburn 18 1,017 
			 Mater 59 670 
			 United Hospitals 714 5,609 
			 Craigavon Area 897 1,833 
			 Newry and Mourne 159 619 
			 Armagh and Dungannon n/a 406 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals 388 1,927 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 379 1,647 
			 Total 4,414 21,773 
			 n/a - not applicable  Source:  Departmental Information returns CH1 & CH3 
		
	
	Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for ear, nose and throat in-patient admission or for initial ear, nose and throat out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment). It is however possible to identify the median or mid point and longest waiting time band for both in-patient admission and first out-patient appointment in each applicable Health Trust area in the Province.
	
		
			  Patients waiting for ear, nose and throat in-patient admission/first out-patient assessment 30 June 2006 
			  Months 
			   Median waiting time band  Longest waiting time band 
			  HSS Trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Royal Group 0-2 9-11 6-8 24+ 
			 Belfast City 0-2 3-5 9-11 21-23 
			 Ulster Hospitals 0-2 3-5 6-8 24+ 
			 Down Lisburn 0-2 3-5 3-5 18-20 
			 Mater 3-5 3-5 6-8 12-14 
			 United Hospitals 3-5 9-11 9-11 24+ 
			 Craigavon Area 3-5 3-5 9-11 24+ 
			 Newry and Mourne 0-2 0-2 9-11 9-11 
			 Armagh and Dungannon n/a 6-8 n/a 21-23 
			 Altnagelvin Hospitals 0-2 3-5 9-11 18-20 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 0-2 0-2 6-8 24+ 
			 Total 0-2 3-5 9-11 24+ 
			 n/a - not applicable  Source:  Departmental Information returns CH1 and CH3

ENT Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in each health trust area in the Province  (a) had an initial ear, nose and throat out-patient assessment and  (b) were admitted to hospital for ear, nose and throat surgery in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The information is as follows:
	 (a) The table provides information on the number of first out-patient attendances in the Ear, Nose and Throat Specialty in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Trust  2005-06  2004-05  2003-04  2002-03  2001-02 
			 Mater Informorum 1,552 2,028 1,574 1,532 1,617 
			 Belfast City 2,750 3,240 3,285 2,944 2,973 
			 Royal Group 2,913 3,116 3,359 4,287 4,900 
			 UC and HT 4,109 4,102 4,478 4,046 4,478 
			 Down Lisburn 2,562 2,261 2,129 2,248 2,572 
			 United 5,338 5,619 5,653 5,439 5,429 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 419 391 396 474 456 
			 Craigavon Group 4,402 3,781 4,236 4,301 4,063 
			 Newry and Mourne 1,844 1,667 1,862 1,195 1,433 
			 Altnagelvin 2,711 2,721 2,546 2,684 2,295 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 3,186 2,771 2,952 3,542 3,454 
			 Northern Ireland 31,786 31,697 32,470 32,692 33,670 
			  Source:  Departmental Information Return KH09

Erne Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time for  (a) an initial outpatient assessment and  (b) inpatient admission was in each specialty at the Erne Hospital in the last period for which figures are available; and what the longest time is for which a patient has been waiting in each case.

Paul Goggins: Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for initial out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment) or for in-patient admission. It is however possible to identify the median or mid point and longest waiting time band for both first out-patient appointment and in-patient admission in each specialty at the Erne Hospital.
	
		
			  Patients waiting for each specialty at the Erne Hospital at 30 June 2006 (the latest validated statistics available) 
			  Month 
			   Median waiting time band  Longest waiting time band 
			  Specialty  (a) Out-patient appointment  (b) In-patient admission  (a) Out-patient appointment  (b) In-patient admission 
			 Anaesthetics 3-5 n/a 24 + n/a 
			 Cardiology 0-2 n/a 3-5 n/a 
			 ENT 3-5 n/a 9-11 n/a 
			 General Medicine 0-2 0-2 3-5 3-5 
			 General Surgery 0-2 0-2 6-8 9-11 
			 Geriatric Medicine 0-2 n/a 9-11 n/a 
			 Gynaecology 0-2 0-2 12- 14 9-11 
			 Neurology 3-5 n/a 6-8 n/a 
			 Obstetrics 0-2 n/a 0-2 n/a 
			 Paediatrics 0-2 n/a 3-5 n/a 
			 Pain Management n/a 0-2 n/a 3-5 
			 Total 0-2 0-2 24+ 9-11 
			 n/a = Not applicable  Source:  Departmental Information returns CH1 & CH3

EU Funding (Foyle)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much EU funding allocated to projects in Foyle constituency has been returned to the EU in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: None of the EU Structural Funds allocated to projects in the Foyle constituency has been returned to the EU in the past five years.

Fireworks

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been arrested for illegal possession of fireworks in each month of 2006, broken down by district command unit.

Paul Goggins: The Chief Constable is unable to provide the information in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of incidents of inappropriate sale, use or possession of fireworks which have been reported to police, for each month since April 2006 and broken down by District Command Unit.
	
		
			  Number of incidents of inappropriate sale/use/possession of fireworks recorded by District Command Unit, 2006 
			  DCU  April  May  June  July  August  September  October 
			 Antrim 0 0 0 1 1 4 66 
			 Ards 0 0 0 0 0 12 60 
			 East Belfast 0 0 0 0 0 15 50 
			 North Belfast 2 0 0 1 0 15 69 
			 South Belfast 0 0 1 2 1 3 61 
			 West Belfast 0 0 0 0 1 10 14 
			 Carrickfergus 0 0 0 1 1 0 43 
			 Castlereagh 0 0 0 1 2 10 69 
			 Larne 2 0 0 0 0 0 60 
			 Lisburn 0 2 1 0 0 23 118 
			 Newtownabbey 1 0 1 0 5 14 56 
			 North Down 1 0 1 1 1 19 94 
			 Urban 6 2 4 7 12 125 760 
			 Armagh 0 0 0 0 0 4 71 
			 Ballymena 0 0 1 0 1 20 54 
			 Ballymoney 0 0 0 0 0 1 38 
			 Banbridge 0 0 0 0 1 2 55 
			 Coleraine 0 0 0 3 1 24 60 
			 Cookstown 0 0 0 0 0 5 82 
			 Craigavon 0 0 0 0 0 3 88 
			 Down 0 0 0 1 0 6 101 
			 Dungannon and South Tyrone 2 0 0 1 1 18 102 
			 Fermanagh 0 0 1 0 1 18 170 
			 Foyle 0 0 0 0 1 15 58 
			 Limavady 0 0 0 0 1 12 42 
			 Magherafelt 0 0 0 1 0 2 38 
			 Moyle 0 0 0 0 0 2 26 
			 Newry and Mourne 0 1 1 0 1 10 115 
			 Omagh 0 1 0 0 0 9 100 
			 Strabane 1 0 0 0 1 4 42 
			 Rural 3 2 3 6 9 155 1,242 
			 Grand total 9 4 7 13 21 280 2,002 
			  Note: Please note that these figures are provisional and may be subject to change.  Source:  Central Statistics Unit, PSNI

Fisheries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Northern Ireland Fisheries Conservancy Board has for the future use of each of its vessels.

Maria Eagle: The FCB is to be abolished under Stage 2 of the Review of Public Administration and its functions, assets and liabilities transferred to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. The future use of FCB vessels will form part of the considerations on how to carry out FCB functions once transferred.

Fisheries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to ensure financial accountability on the purchase of vessels between the Northern Ireland Fisheries Conservancy Board and his Department.

Maria Eagle: The financial relationship between the Fisheries Conservancy Board and the Department is governed by a Financial Memorandum which sets out aspects of the financial framework within which FCB is required to operate. This includes any procurement exercise undertaken by the Board.

Fisheries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how the Northern Ireland Fisheries Conservancy Board financed the purchase of each of its vessels; what the purpose of each vessel has been; and what finances were provided by outside funding bodies;
	(2)  how many boats are owned by the Northern Ireland Fisheries Conservancy Board; when they were purchased; and what the total cost was of each vessel.

Maria Eagle: The Fisheries Conservancy Board have 18 vessels at their disposal. The requested details are as follows:
	
		
			  11 metre RIB  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on Lough Erne Fishery. 
			 Financed by INTERREG project: Combined Fishery Enhancement and Management Programme 024789. 
			 Total cost £135,435 
			 Purchase date December 2005. 
			   
			  6.1 metre RIB  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on Upper Lough Erne, Lough Melvin or coast as required. 
			 Financed by INTERREG project: Combined Fishery Enhancement and Management Programme 024789. 
			 Total cost £39,362 
			 Purchase date November 2004. 
			   
			  11 metre RIB  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation of the North Coast salmon fishery and long-range coastal work if required. 
			 Financed by Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. 
			 Total cost £130,907 
			 Purchase date December 2003 
			   
			  Two 4-metre Honda inflatables  
			 Purpose Protection and conservation duties within jurisdiction of the Board, if required for rapid deployment and difficult access to waterway encountered. 
			 Financed by: INTERREG project: Combined Fishery Enhancement and Management Programme 024789. 
			 Total cost £3,120 
			 Purchase date November 2004 
			   
			  Orkney 590TT + trailer.  
			 Purpose Electrofishing/survey work. 
			 Financed by INTERREG project: Combined Fishery Enhancement and Management Programme 024789. 
			 Total cost £15,950 
			 Purchase date November 2004 
			  Cygnus Tornado.  
			 Purpose Protection, Conservation and Sampling duties on Lough Neagh. 
			 Financed by Insurance claim as previous patrol vessel stolen. 
			 Total cost £95,175 (£72,000 from insurance claim, rest Board finance.) 
			 Purchase date 2000 
			   
			  Bayliner Trophy 5.2 metre.  
			 Purpose Protection and conservation duties in Lough Neagh and inflowing river systems. 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £13,000 
			 Purchase date 1996 
			   
			  Dell Quay Dory 4.5 metre.  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on east coast area. 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £16,000 
			 Purchase date 1996 
			   
			  Skeeter 550C.  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation of Loughs Erne and Melvin. 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £13,000 
			 Purchase date 1996 
			   
			  Humber Inflatable 13 D  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on Lower Bann and Lough 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £2,000 
			 Purchase date 1996 
			   
			  Dell Quay Dory 15 foot  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on Lough Neagh or other inland lakes (access permitting for launch). 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £3,525 
			 Purchase date 2002 
			   
			  Pioneer 12 foot PVC  
			 Purpose Protection and conservation duties at river mouths leading to Lough Neagh or other inland lakes as required. 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £2,000 
			 Purchase date 1995. 
			   
			  Ernecraft G.R.P 17-foot general-purpose anglers boat  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties on inland lakes and rivers in Fermanagh area. 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £1,410 
			 Purchase date 1998 
			   
			  Tornado RIB and trailer.  
			 Purpose Tender back up for 11 metre north coast RIB and other watercourses as required 
			 Financed by Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure 
			 Total cost £12,102 
			 Purchase date December 2003 
			   
			  Dromidair 16 foot  
			 Purpose Protection and Conservation duties in Fermanagh area 
			 Financed by FCB 
			 Total cost £1,200 
			 Purchase date 1994 
			   
			  Two 19 foot Sheelin G.R.P boats  
			 Purpose These boats are notionally owned by the Board but maintained insured and operated by Clogher and District Angling Association. 
			 Financed by INTERREG project: Combined Fishery Enhancement and Management Programme 024789 
			 Total cost £4,555 
			 Purchase date November 2004

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the  (a) extent of the need for gastric bypass surgery in the Province and  (b) merits of providing funding to allow such surgery to be performed in the Province.

Paul Goggins: A review of the need for a Bariatric (obesity) surgery service in Northern Ireland has recently been undertaken and the results and recommendations are currently being considered by commissioners.

General Practices

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether staff in general practitioner practices are entitled to cost of living pay rises.

Paul Goggins: The new General Medical Services (GMS) contract, which came into effect from 1 April 2004, is a contract between the relevant health and social services board and a GMS practice for the provision of general medical services. Under the contract it is a matter for each GMS practice to determine its staff remuneration arrangements.

Holywell Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how long the nine additional beds being provided at Holywell Hospital to assist in the transition in inpatient admissions are expected to remain.

Paul Goggins: These additional beds are being provided until a safe alternative service becomes available. Work has now been completed by the Northern Health and Social Services Board and Homefirst Health and Social Services Trust on the development of a Home Treatment model of care, which would reduce the overall level of need for in-patient admissions and consequently allow for these beds to safely close.

Hospices

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what public funding is being made available to hospices in Northern Ireland in the 2006-07 financial year; and which of them offer specialist palliative care home care services.

Paul Goggins: Four voluntary institutions provide hospice care in Northern Ireland. They each receive funding from the HPSS for the provision of agreed inpatient and community hospice services which includes specialist palliative home care services. The funding planned for 2006-07 is approximately as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 Northern Ireland Hospice Care 1.524 
			 Marie Curie Cancer Centre 1.38 
			 Foyle Hospice 0.305 
			 Southern Area Hospice 0.967 
			 Total 4.176 
		
	
	In addition to the funding for services, the NI Hospice also receives a core grant of £124,000 from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety towards its administration costs.

Hospital Hygiene

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to encourage hand washing in hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, as part of its "Changing the Culture" action plan published in March 2006, has provided health and social services boards in this financial year, with £400,000 for the hand hygiene and mandatory staff training elements of the plan. With this funding acute hospital trusts are being encouraged, especially during the winter, to mount hand hygiene initiatives across all work areas and to engage staff, patients and the public in these initiatives. Special campaigns led by infection control teams are under consideration this winter in all acute hospital trusts.

Hospital Hygiene

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his most recent estimate is of the costs resulting from health care-acquired infections in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety estimates the cost of health care associated infections in the Northern Ireland Health Service to be £30 million per annum. This is based on the National Audit Office estimate published in June 2004 of £1 billion for the UK as a whole.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are on the waiting list  (a) for ophthalmology procedures and  (b) to see a consultant in relation to cataract treatment.

Paul Goggins: The information is as follows:
	 (a) At 30 June 2006, there were 3,750 people in Northern Ireland, awaiting in-patient admission to hospital in the ophthalmology specialty. 1,920 were awaiting in-patient admission specifically for cataract surgery.
	 (b) Waiting list information is collected at specialty level. It is therefore not possible to determine how many people were waiting to see a consultant in relation to cataract treatment. However, at 30 June 2006, there were 19,221 people in Northern Ireland waiting for a first out-patient appointment with an ophthalmology consultant.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he plans to widen the scope of the service delivery units working to bring down patient waiting lists to include waiting lists for  (a) speech and language therapy and  (b) other allied health professional services.

Paul Goggins: The Service Delivery Unit at this juncture is specifically targeted at improving the response of the acute sector, but the skills mix of its staffing complement will be kept under review. A major reform programme for community services is in train, including a number of service improvement initiatives, such as integrated multi-disciplinary team working, designed to reduce waiting times for AHP services. Within available funding, priorities for service delivery are determined locally in response to local need.

Human Trafficking

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been charged for illegal trafficking of females for prostitution from EU countries to Northern Ireland since records of such crimes have been collected.

Paul Goggins: No individuals have been charged with illegal trafficking of females specifically from EU countries to Northern Ireland for the purposes of prostitution since records of such crimes were recorded.
	All law enforcement agencies in Northern Ireland will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate action should they discover any evidence of this particular crime.

Illegal Dumping

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of illegal dumping have been reported in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) assumed the powers to investigate incidents of illegal dumping in 2003. It does not hold records prior to that year, when the responsibility lay with district councils.
	Since EHS assumed these powers in 2003, a total of 3,491 incidents of illegal dumping have been reported to the Agency; 167 in 2003, 1,209 in 2004, 1,156 in 2005, and 959 to date in 2006.

In-house Departmental Services

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the Central Procurement Directorate has instructed relevant officials to increase by 20 per cent. the estimated cost of in-house departmental service provision; and whether ministerial approval was given for this instruction.

David Hanson: The Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance and Personnel has not instructed relevant officials to increase by 20 per cent., or any other amount, the estimated cost of in-house departmental service provision.

IRA

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Northern Ireland what his policy is on the disbandment of the Provisional IRA.

Paul Goggins: The October IMC report stated that PIRA has taken further steps to run down its terrorist capability. It has disbanded "military" structure, including the general headquarters department responsible for procurement, engineering and training, and it has stood down volunteers and stopped allowances. It is now firmly set on a political strategy eschewing terrorism and other forms of crime.

IT Contracts/Projects

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the value was of each IT contract awarded by his Department in each of the last five years; and who the contractor was in each case.

Paul Goggins: The following tables cover the NIO core Department, agencies and the Bloody Sunday Inquiry (BSI). The information relates only to contracts with a value of over £1 million up to the end of the financial year 2005-06.
	
		
			  Project  Purpose  Contractor  Value of contract  (£ million) 
			 COMPASS (to 2002) To provide an e-human resources system for the Northern Ireland Prison Service BT 5.06 
			 PRISM (to spring 2006) To provide a prisoner record system for the Northern Ireland Prison Service Sopra Newell and Budge 7.26 
			 CAUSEWAY (PPP project to 2013) A joint enterprise by criminal justice organisations in Northern Ireland to share information electronically Fujitsu 45 
			 FLAX (to 2005) Replace NIO IT infrastructure, provide internet and intranet and meet electronic document and records management targets BT 8.5 
		
	
	
		
			  Bloody Sunday Inquiry—Londonderry and London 
			   Purpose—implementation of IT systems to support the work of the inquiry 
			   Contractor  Value of contract (£ million) 
			 1998 Fujitsu 1.1 
			 2002 Fujitsu 7.1 
			 2003 Fujitsu 5.0 
			 2004 Fujitsu 2.6 
			 2005 Fujitsu 3.7

IT Contracts/Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how much his Department has spent on  (a) information technology projects and  (b) web-facing information technology projects in each year since 2001, broken down by (i) expenditure on consultants and (ii) other costs;
	(2)  how many information technology projects his Department has undertaken in each year since 2001; how many of those projects were web-related;
	(3)  which non-web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £1 million since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract;
	(4)  which web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £50,000 since 2001; which companies submitted qualified tender proposals for each project; and which company was awarded each contract;
	(5)  how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer these questions before the end of the current parliamentary session.

IT Contracts/Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's five most expensive  (a) web and  (b) non-web information technology projects have been since 2001.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Language Support

Alasdair McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what language support services were available to each college of further and higher education in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in the last four academic years; and how much was allocated by each college to such services in each year.

Maria Eagle: Following incorporation in 1998, education and library boards relinquished their responsibility for further education colleges.
	For the purposes of addressing this question, the term "language support services" has been defined as "translation and interpretation" costs.
	Details of language support services available in each college of further and higher education over the last four academic years are presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Cost of language support services (translation and interpretation) in academic year 
			  £ 
			  College name  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Armagh College 0 0 0 0 
			 Belfast Institute 0 0 0 7,000 
			 Castlereagh College 0 0 0 0 
			 Causeway Institute 0 0 0 0 
			 East Antrim Institute 0 0 3,045 2,430 
			 East Down Institute 0 0 0 0 
			 East Tyrone 0 0 0 0 
			 Fermanagh College 0 0 0 0 
			 Limavady College 0 0 0 0 
			 Lisburn Institute 0 0 0 300 
			 Newry and Kilkeel Institute 0 0 320 400 
			 North Down and Ards Institute 0 0 0 0 
			 North East Institute 0 0 0 0 
			 North West Institute 0 0 0 0 
			 Omagh College 0 0 0 18,000 
			 Upper Bann 0 0 0 400

Lung Cancer

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent in Northern Ireland on tackling lung cancer in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The total estimated hospital in-patient and day-case expenditure on the treatment of lung cancer in the three years to 2004-05 was as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2002-03 5.1 
			 2003-04 6.2 
			 2004-05 6.8 
		
	
	Please note that this information excludes thecost of courses of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to in-patients and day-cases.
	Further financial information is not available.

Macular Degeneration

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what treatments are available for wet age-related macular degeneration in the Province.

Paul Goggins: Specialised treatments are available for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration, including photodynamic therapy, which is provided by ophthalmologists at the Royal Victoria hospital.

Mature Students

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of students at each university in Northern Ireland were mature students in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Proportion of known age full-time and part-time enrolments at the Northern Ireland higher education institutions aged 25 years and over by institution 1997/98 to 2004/05 
			  Percentage 
			  Academic year  Queen's university Belfast  University of Ulster  Stranmillis university college  St. Mary's university college  Total 
			 1997-98 36.0 38.1 17.9 11.9 36.3 
			 1998-99 36.4 35.7 33.6 17.4 35.7 
			 1999-2000 37.5 35.0 34.5 27.3 36.0 
			 2000-01 35.7 34.5 31.3 25.5 34.8 
			 2001-02 35.0 34.5 27.5 19.5 34.2 
			 2002-03 33.7 34.1 25.7 18.8 33.3 
			 2003-04 36.3 34.3 25.5 12.9 34.4 
			 2004-05 37.5 34.0 25.2 12.2 34.8 
			  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency

Menopause

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assistance is available from the NHS in Northern Ireland for women suffering from menopausal symptoms.

Paul Goggins: Women who are adversely affected by menopausal symptoms are normally managed within primary care, where their general practitioner is usually able to provide appropriate treatment for either physical or psychological symptoms. If the GP feels that specialist treatment is indicated, he can refer the patient for assessment by a hospital consultant, such as a gynaecologist with particular expertise in menopausal problems. Treatment is determined according to an individual patient's needs and their specific symptoms and circumstances.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to improve Child and Adolescent Mental Health inpatient services in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has approved a business case to build a new 18-bed mental health adolescent inpatient unit at the Forster Green Hospital site to replace the interim inpatient facilities at Knockbracken. An Outline Business Case is also being considered to build a replacement of the 15-bed child psychiatric unit on the same site and linked to the adolescent unit.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acute mental health beds are available at Holywell hospital.

Paul Goggins: As at 3 November 2006 there are 81 acute mental health beds available at Holywell hospital.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to enhance the primary care mental health service within the Northern Board area.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Board recognises the importance of early intervention in a primary care setting and has allocated non-recurring fundingto Homefirst Trust to initiate the reform and modernisation of community mental health teams in order to mirror the progress already achieved in Causeway Trust. The board is developing a single point of entry to mental health services and placing a stronger focus on early intervention and the delivery of service within a primary care setting.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to improve access to psychological therapies within the Northern Board area.

Paul Goggins: It is increasingly acknowledged that therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy are an important tool in the treatment of mental illness. As a new initiative, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has commissioned the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation to work with Health and Social Services Boards including the Northern Health and Social Services Board, to develop cognitive therapy programmes.
	Additionally, following the success of a computerised cognitive behavioural therapy programme in the Causeway Health and Social Services Trust, the Northern Board has approved a second computerised CBT pilot and, if successfully evaluated, will look to extend this across the area, as resources become available.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in each health trust area in the Province  (a) are awaiting cognitive behavioural therapy and  (b) commenced such therapy in each of the last five years; what the average waiting time for cognitive behavioural therapy was in each health trust area in the Province in the last period for which figures are available; and what the longest time is for which a patient has been waiting for such therapy in each area.

Paul Goggins: Cognitive behavioural therapy is a relatively new treatment and was not widely available until recently. Comprehensive information in the format requested is therefore not available. As a new initiative, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has commissioned the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Transformation to work with Health and Social Services Boards including the Northern Health and Social Services Board, to develop cognitive therapy programmes.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to improve services for patients with eating disorders in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: £1 million was allocated to boards and trusts in 2004-05 to develop community-based specialist eating disorder teams within each board area, which would be managed within an appropriate 'regional care network'. All four teams are now operational. A regional eating disorders service, based at South and East Belfast health and social services trust, deals with the management of complex cases and specialised medical and dietetics support for all four health boards. Our longer term aim will be to provide a specialist eating disorder unit in Northern Ireland, once the current three-tier service is fully operational and we are able to assess more accurately the level of need for such in-patient services.

Mental Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to set up in-reach teams to tackle mental health difficulties in schools in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: There are no plans to set up in-reach teams to tackle mental health difficulties in schools in Northern Ireland, However, the Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Paul Goggins), who has responsibility for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, announced on 31 October that a start was being made to modernise mental health and learning disability services in the province in response to the findings of the Bamford review. The Bamford report on child and adolescent mental health services highlights the need for joined-up planning and commissioning of services between mental health and education. The needs of the education sector will be included in the cross-departmental task force being set up to oversee the implementation of the Government response.
	Arising from the Children and Young Persons Package announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in March last, a considerable counselling programme is being planned for all post- primary pupils from January 2007. A referral process will be set up within the counselling scheme should a need be identified for specialist services.

Mesothelioma

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made ofthe benefits of Pemetrexed for the treatment of mesothelioma.

Paul Goggins: Pemetrexed is currently undergoing assessment by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for use in the NHS. My Department recently established formal links with NICE. As part of the local process for reviewing NICE guidance for implementation in the HPSS a direction on its use will be issued shortly after the final guidance becomes available in England. The institute's final appraisal document, issued in June 2006, recommended that Pemetrexed should not be used for the treatment of this disease except within a clinical trial. While this recommendation is subject to an appeal, the Department would not expect Pemetrexed to be widely available for patients with mesothelioma in Northern Ireland.

Mesothelioma

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what licensed medicines are available to treat mesothelioma patients.

Paul Goggins: Gemcitabine in combination with Cisplatin is the standard treatment available in Northern Ireland for mesothelioma patients. Pemetrexed is licensed for the treatment of mesothelioma but is not yet available in Northern Ireland.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

Peter Hain: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

MRI Scans

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time is for an MRI scan in each health trust in the Province; and what the longest waiting time was for an MRI scan in each health trust in the Province in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available.

MRI Scans

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to increase the monitoring of waiting times for MRI scans in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The Department's Service Delivery Unit recently carried out a survey to establish baseline information on waiting times in radiology, including MRI scans, in trusts across Northern Ireland.
	Building on this baseline survey, it is intended to introduce weekly monitoring of radiology waiting lists and times across all trusts. It is envisaged that this monitoring system will be in place early in 2007.

MRI Scans

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in each health trust in the Province are waiting for an MRI scan; and how many people received an MRI scan in each health trust in the Province in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Weekly monitoring of radiology waiting lists and times including MRI scans is not yet in place. In order to answer this question unvalidated information on the number of people waiting for an MRI scan and the number who have received a scan was collected from each health trust in the Province and is detailed in the table.
	
		
			  Trust  Number waiting for MRI scan 
			 Altnagelvin 933 
			 Belfast City Hospital 1,065 
			 Craigavon 600 
			 Greenpark 1,277 
			 Royal 2,351 
			 Ulster 544 
			 United 148 
			  Source: HPSS Trusts. 
		
	
	The number of people who received an MRI scan in each health trust in the Province in each of the last five years is detailed in the table.
	
		
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Altnagelvin(1) n/a n/a 2,871 3,259 4,193 
			 Belfast City Hospital 588 1,070 3,387 6,015 5,238 
			 Craigavon(2) — — — 3,428 3,876 
			 GreenPark 6,421 6,764 6,152 6,223 6,831 
			 Royal 4,757 3,065 3,756 4,526 6,091 
			 Ulster(3) — — — 2,004 2,488 
			 United(4) — — — 1,582 2,397 
			 n/a = Figure not available. (1) Figures for Altnagelvin include scans carried out at the independent sector scanner in Coleraine. Figures not available for 2001-02 or 2002-03. (2) MRI scanner at Craigavon has been in existence only since1 November 2004. Figures run from November to October each year. (3) MRI scanner at the Ulster was installed in May 2004. (4) MRI scanner at United in operation from 2004-05.  Source: HPSS Trusts.

Music Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to develop a policy guide for music therapy in special schools in Northern Ireland; what steps have been taken to develop a strategic plan for the inclusion of music therapy alongside other therapies as an integral part of the work of special schools; and whether a framework of standards is being included in the plan.

Paul Goggins: Officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) met with representatives from the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust in July 2006. It was agreed that the DHSSPS would develop a position paper that would consider how music therapy could be integrated into the therapy services provided by the by the Health and Social Services Trusts for children with learning disabilities.

Music Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to monitor and evaluate the impact of music therapy to inform and improve planning and provision.

Paul Goggins: Following a meeting with representatives of the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust, officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, agreed to develop a position paper to evaluate music therapy and how it could be integrated into the therapy services provided for children with learning disabilities. This will include planning and provision.

Neonatal Care

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will take steps to increase the number of neonatal cots available in neonatal intensive care units in hospitals in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: There are currently 104 neonatal cots available in Northern Ireland hospitals. The most recent was added at Craigavon in April 2006. In line with the rest of the UK, specialist neonatal services in Northern Ireland face increasing demands as rising numbers of very premature babies survive and as medical technology advances.
	The HPSS is currently taking action to improve the future provision of neonatal services. In June 2005 the Chief Medical Officer commissioned work to provide a robust baseline position for specialist neonatal activity in Northern Ireland and to inform future service planning, provision and development. This work is now complete and, as a result, the Department is seeking to increase capacity and to develop a neonatal/paediatric critical care transport service.
	Inevitably the demand for specialist neonatal services will continue to experience peaks and troughs. On those occasions when no cot is available locally, hospitals have contingency plans in place to arrange alternative care in units outside Northern Ireland.

NICE Guidelines

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who will serve on the body to determine whether National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines should be extended to Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: Decisions on the application of NICE guidelines in Northern Ireland are a matter for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Northern Ireland Police Fund

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the Northern Ireland Police Fund notified the Department of the payment to L'Estrange and Brett Solicitors.

Paul Goggins: Payments by the Northern Ireland Police Fund are a matter for the Fund.

Northern Ireland Police Fund

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether  (a) current and  (b) former members of the board of directors of the Northern Ireland Police Fund have requested meetings in the last 12 months with (i) him, (ii) a Minister of State and (iii) a civil servant from his Department to discuss (A) the 2003 breach of security at the fund and (B) parliamentary questions.

Paul Goggins: No such meetings have been requested in the last 12 months by current or former members of the board of directors of the Northern Ireland Police Fund.

Northern Ireland Police Fund

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether details of a redundancy package paid out to a member of staff at the Northern Ireland Police Fund on the termination of their employment at the fund was  (a) forwarded to his Department and  (b) approved by his Department in advance of it being agreed with staff.

Paul Goggins: As the Northern Ireland Police Fund's status is a company limited by guarantee any payments made to staff are a matter for the fund.
	In line with standard corporate governance arrangements the Department discusses a range of issues in relation to fund business on a regular basis.

Nursing

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down by age the number of nurses working in the health service in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Nursing staff employed within the NIHPSS by age group as at 30 September 2006 
			   Qualified nursing staff  Nurse support staff 
			   Headcount  WTE  Headcount  WTE 
			 <25 704 690.55 390 364.89 
			 25-29 1,709 1,621.05 462 412.47 
			 30-34 2,163 1,906.33 548 458.69 
			 35-39 2,361 1,941.00 654 533.92 
			 40-44 3,161 2,566.19 768 652.74 
			 45-49 2,743 2,286.63 747 642.87 
			 50-54 1,818 1,543.66 556 480.68 
			 55-59 925 763.09 392 328.49 
			 60-64 281 215.41 175 141.57 
			 65+ 18 12.32 8 6.08 
			 Unknown 0 0.00 1 1.00 
			 Total 15,883 13,546.23 4,701 4,023.40 
			  Notes: 1. Figures for nursing staff exclude bank staff and student nurses. 2. WTE—whole-time equivalent.  Source: Human Resource Management Systems

Nursing

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what childcare assistance is available for those studying nursing in the Province; and what assessment he has made of the merits of introducing a childcare allowance for nursing students in the Province.

Paul Goggins: Student nurses studying in Northern Ireland at both diploma and degree level have access to a personal bursary award, which is a combination ofa non-means-tested bursary and a means-tested dependants allowance. A child care allowance is not included in the current support package, however the situation will be kept under review.

Occupational Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) longest and  (b) average waiting time is for community occupational therapy assessment among (i) adults and (ii) children in each health trust in the Province.

Paul Goggins: Information on average and longest waiting times for community occupational therapist assessment in respect of children and adults is not collected centrally. Information is, however, available on the time individuals aged 19 and over had waited for commencement of assessment by community occupational therapists, according to specified time bands. The number of adults in each time band is shown in the following table, in respect of assessments commenced in the quarter ending 30 June 2006, the latest date for which such information is available. Information is provided for priority cases and non-priority cases separately.
	
		
			  Time waited for commencement of assessment by community occupational therapists, quarter ending 30 June 2006 
			  HSS Trust  Under 2 weeks  2 weeks to under 1 month  1 month and over  All priority cases 
			  (a) Priority cases 
			 North and West Belfast 238 72 153 463 
			 South and East Belfast 413 85 137 635 
			 UCHT 208 54 72 334 
			 Down Lisburn 274 93 210 577 
			 Causeway 86 32 96 214 
			 Homefirst 714 132 343 1,189 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 336 34 14 384 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 456 212 118 786 
			 Newry and Mourne 60 72 261 393 
			 Foyle 43 36 132 211 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 54 38 139 231 
			  
			 Northern Ireland 2,882 860 1,675 5,417 
		
	
	
		
			  HSS Trust  Under 3 months  3 months to under 6 months  6 months and over  All non-priority cases 
			  (b) Non-priority cases 
			 North and West Belfast 137 168 83 388 
			 South and East Belfast 647 30 14 691 
			 UCHT 459 137 121 717 
			 Down Lisburn 91 24 175 290 
			 Causeway 33 3 63 99 
			 Homefirst 993 19 174 1,186 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 129 47 13 189 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 0 0 0 0 
			 Newry and Mourne 38 108 10 156 
			 Foyle 99 6 107 212 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 29 1 19 49 
			  
			 Northern Ireland 2,655 543 779 3,977 
			  Source: Departmental Information return CP4.

Organ Transplants

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland applied for donor cards in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: It is not known how many people in Northern Ireland carry donor cards, however the following table shows the number of people in Northern Ireland who have registered with the NHS Organ Donor Register in each of the last five complete years and in 2006 to the end of October.
	
		
			  Registration year  ODR registrations  Cumulative total 
			 Pre-2001  142,434 
			 2001 7,519 149,953 
			 2002 7,992 157,945 
			 2003 64,496 222,441 
			 2004 41,987 264,428 
			 2005 46,632 311,060 
			 2006 to 31 October 40,219 351,279 
		
	
	The step change in 2003 is due to a backlog of registrations made through the DVLNI being registered in that year.

Organ Transplants

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have received kidney transplants in each of the last five years; how many people are receiving renal dialysis; and how many renal dialysis patients are regarded as requiring transplants.

Paul Goggins: The number of people who received kidney transplants in each of the last five years is detailed in the table.
	
		
			   Number of people who received kidney transplants 
			 2001 37 
			 2002 49 
			 2003 45 
			 2004 58 
			 2005 30 
			  Source: Transplant Co-ordinator, Belfast City Hospital 
		
	
	At 30 September 2006 the number of people receiving renal dialysis in Northern Ireland was 762. This is the latest information available.
	At 31 October 2006 there were 269 patients who require kidney transplants. This is the latest information available.

Paediatric Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many patients are waiting for  (a) paediatric surgery in-patient admission and  (b) initial paediatric surgery out-patient assessment in each health trust area in the Province;
	(2)  what the  (a) average and  (b) longest waiting time is for (i) initial paediatric surgery out-patient assessment and (ii) paediatric surgery in-patient admission in each health trust area in the Province;
	(3)  how many patients  (a) had an initial paediatric surgery out-patient assessment and  (b) were admitted to hospital for paediatric surgery out-patient assessment in each of the last five years in each health trust area in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The (i) total number of children waiting for  (a) paediatric surgery in-patient admission and  (b) initial paediatric surgery outpatient assessment (first out-patient appointment) for each applicable health trust at 30 June 2006 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Children waiting for paediatric surgery at 30 June 2006 
			   Total waiting for paediatric surgery 
			  HSS trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Royal Group 433 961 
			 Ulster Hospitals 125 241 
			 Total 558 1,202 
			  Source: Departmental Information returns CH1 and CH3 
		
	
	Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for plastic surgery in-patient admission or for initial plastic surgery out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment). It is however possible to identify the median or mid point and longest waiting time band for both in-patient admission and first out-patient appointment in each applicable health trust area in the Province.
	
		
			  Children waiting for paediatric surgery at 30 June 2006 
			  Months 
			   HSS trust 
			   Ulster  Royal Group 
			  Median waiting time band   
			  (a) In-patient admission 0-2 3-5 
			  (b) Out-patient appointment 0-2 3-5 
			
			  Longest waiting time band   
			  (a) In-patient admission 6-8 9-11 
			  (b) Out-patient appointment 12-14 24+ 
			  Source: Departmental Information returns CH1 and CH3 
		
	
	The following table shows the number of children who had an initial paediatric surgery out-patient attendance in each applicable HSS Trust in each of the last five years from 2000-01 to 2005-06.
	
		
			  Number of paediatric surgery initial out-patient attendances 2000-01 to 2005-06 
			   HSS trust 
			   Ulster  Royal Group  Total 
			 2005-06 618 1,396 2,014 
			 2004-05 967 1,607 2,574 
			 2003-04 1,084 1,285 2,369 
			 2002-03 941 1,574 2,515 
			 2001-02 916 1,489 2,405 
			  Source: Departmental Information return KH09 
		
	
	Information on the number of children who were admitted to hospital for paediatric surgery out-patient assessment in each of the last five years is not available.

Paediatric Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the  (a) average and  (b) longest waiting time is in each health trust area in the Province for (i) initial paediatric cardiology outpatient assessment and (ii) paediatric cardiology inpatient admission.

Paul Goggins: Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for paediatric cardiology inpatient admission or for paediatric cardiology out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment). It is however possible to identify the median or mid point and longest waiting time band for both in-patient admission and first out-patient appointment in each applicable health trust area in the Province.
	
		
			  Children waiting for paediatric cardiology inpatient admission/out-patient assessment at 31 October 2006 
			  Months 
			   Median waiting time band  Longest waiting time band 
			  HSS trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals(1) 0-2 9-11 6-8 12-14 
			 United Hospitals — 6-8 — 15-17 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group(2) — 6-8 — 15-17 
			 Altnagelvin Group(3) — 3-5 — 6-8 
			 Causeway — 0-2 — 0-2 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals — 6-8 — 24+ 
			 (1) Only the Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust has a paediatric cardiology inpatient service. (2 )Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust provided numbers waiting at 30 September 2006. (3) Altnagelvin Group Trust provided numbers waiting at 28 October 2006.  Source:  Health and Social Service Trusts.

Paediatric Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in each health trust area in the Province are waiting for  (a) paediatric cardiology inpatient admission and  (b) initial paediatric cardiology outpatient assessment.

Paul Goggins: The total number of children waiting for  (a) paediatric cardiology in-patient admission and  (b) initial paediatric cardiology out-patient assessment (first outpatient appointment) for each applicable health trust at 31 October 2006 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Children waiting for initial paediatric cardiology assessment at 31 October 2006 
			   Total waiting for paediatric cardiology 
			  HSS trust  (a) In-patient Admission  (b) Out-patient Appointment 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals(1) 44 314 
			 United Hospitals — 82 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group(2) — 79 
			 Altnagelvin Group(3) — 42 
			 Causeway — 8 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals — 76 
			 Total 44 601 
			 (1) Only the Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust has a paediatric cardiology inpatient service. (2) Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust provided numbers waiting at 30 September 2006. (3) Altnagelvin Group Trust provided numbers waiting at 28 October 2006.  Source: Health and Social Service Trusts.

Paediatric Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients in each health trust area in the Province  (a) had an initial paediatric cardiology outpatient assessment and  (b) were admitted to hospital for paediatric cardiology in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The following table shows the total number of children that had an initial paediatric cardiology outpatient assessment in each of the last five years from 2000-01 to 2005-06 for each applicable health trust.
	
		
			  Number of children having an initial paediatric cardiology assessment 2001-02 to 2005-06 
			  HSS trust  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals(1) 504 517 588 613 — 
			 United Hospitals 43 73 80 74 84 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group(2) — — — — 109 
			 Altnagelvin Group 51 71 75 53 81 
			 Causeway(1)  28 22 16 25 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals 67 65 73 71 56 
			 (1 )Figures not yet available for 2005-06 for Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust and Causeway Hospitals HSS Trust could not provide figures for 2001-02. (2 )Craigavon Group Trust provided numbers waiting for 2005-06 only, as prior to March 2005 they included all paediatric cardiology in the paediatrics specialty.  Source: Health and Social Service Trusts. 
		
	
	The number of children admitted to hospital for paediatric cardiology is not available.

Paramilitary Activity

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of levels of loyalist paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: As the latest IMC report confirmed, while there are some encouraging signs within loyalism that the leadership is seeking to bring paramilitary and criminal activity to an end, this is not yet reflected throughout the entire membership.

Parliamentary Questions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 11 October 2006,  Official Report, column 786W, on parliamentary questions, which questions tabled by  (a) hon. Members other than the hon. Member for Upper Bann and  (b) peers have been answered on the basisof drafts prepared by the British Irish Inter-Governmental Secretariat since 5 May 2005.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Pharmaceuticals

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the potential impact on patients in the Province of proposed changes in the pharmaceutical wholesale trade.

Paul Goggins: Pfizer have recently announced changes in their UK supply and distribution arrangements for prescription medicines effective from March 2007. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety are seeking clarification and assurances from Pfizer in relation to their plans for implementing the new arrangements in Northern Ireland. In particular the Department will be asking for assurances about the future supply and pricing of prescription medicines. Until this information is available it is not possible to make an assessment of the potential impact of the changes on patients here.

Physiotherapists

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many physiotherapy students graduated in Northern Ireland in the last academic year; how many of those graduates have been employed as NHS physiotherapists; and what the average cost is of training a physiotherapy student in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: 72 physiotherapy students graduated from the University of Ulster at the end of the last academic year.
	The number of those graduates who have taken up employment within the NHS is not available. However, the number of new appointees joining the HPSS at a junior physiotherapy grade for the period March 2005 to March 2006 is 69. These joiners may include: new graduates, staff transferring from the private sector, staff from other countries or staff returning after a period of unpaid leave.
	The average cost of training a physiotherapy student is currently £35,000.

Physiotherapists

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time is for an appointment with a physiotherapist in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: Information on the average waiting time for an appointment with a physiotherapist is not collected centrally. However, information is collected on completed waiting times for a first out-patient appointment of an episode of care with a community physiotherapist. The total number of persons attending their first out-patient appointment, and their waiting times are shown in the table, in respect of the quarter ending 31 March 2006, the latest date for which such information is available. 18,241 persons attended their first out-patient appointment with a community physiotherapist. Of these, 921 (5 per cent.) had waited for six months or more.
	
		
			Time waiting 
			  Board area  Patients attending first appointment  Less than 3 months  3 to 6 months  6 months or over 
			 Eastern 6,477 5,070 1,012 395 
			 Northern 3,425 2,605 664 156 
			 Southern 4,689 3,964 415 310 
			 Western 3,650 2,997 593 60 
			 Total 18,241 14,636 2,684 921 
			  Source: Departmental Information return CP3.

Planning

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many outstanding planning applications there are in each municipal area in Northern Ireland; and how long on average it takes to deal with such an application.

David Cairns: The number of outstanding planning applications and average processing times per Council area are detailed in Tables A and B as follows.
	Table A shows the number of outstanding planning applications by Council area at 30 September 2006.
	
		
			  Table A 
			  District council area  Outstanding 
			  Ballymena  
			 Antrim 423 
			 Ballymena 672 
			 Carrickfergus 171 
			 Larne 189 
			 Magherafelt 828 
			 Divisional Total 2,283 
			   
			  Belfast  
			 Belfast 1,038 
			 Castlereagh 291 
			 Newtownabbey 336 
			 Divisional Total 1,665 
			   
			  Craigavon  
			 Armagh 1,428 
			 Banbridge 1,031 
			 Craigavon 690 
			 Newry and Mourne 2,440 
			 Divisional Total 5,589 
			   
			  Downpatrick  
			 Ards 647 
			 Down 837 
			 Lisburn 869 
			 North Down 458 
			 Divisional Total 2,811 
			   
			  Headquarters  
			 All Districts 352 
			 Divisional Total 352 
			   
			  Londonderry  
			 Ballymoney 330 
			 Coleraine 672 
			 Derry 813 
			 Limavady 303 
			 Moyle 258 
			 Divisional Total 2,376 
			   
			  Omagh  
			 Cookstown 872 
			 Dungannon 1,269 
			 Fermanagh 2,148 
			 Omagh 1,325 
			 Strabane 550 
			 Divisional Total 6,164 
			   
			 Planning Service Total 21,240 
		
	
	Table B shows the average time to process a planning application per council area. (Based on decisions issued between 1 October 2005 to 30 September 2006)
	
		
			  Table B 
			  District council area  Calendar days  Weeks 
			  Ballymena   
			 Antrim 223.36 31.91 
			 Ballymena 237.99 34.00 
			 Carrickfergus 207.49 29.64 
			 Larne 172.90 24.70 
			 Magherafelt 356.68 50.95 
			
			  Belfast   
			 Belfast 155.86 22.27 
			 Castlereagh 172.42 24.63 
			 Newtownabbey 167.87 23.98 
			
			  Craigavon   
			 Armagh 373.48 53.35 
			 Banbridge 390.35 55.76 
			 Craigavon 231.87 33.12 
			 Newry and Mourne 336.01 48.00 
			
			  Downpatrick   
			 Ards 232.81 33.26 
			 Down 334.52 47.79 
			 Lisburn 253.19 36.17 
			 North Down 198.17 28.31 
			
			  Londonderry   
			 Ballymoney 243.34 34.76 
			 Coleraine 282.67 40.38 
			 Derry 213.95 30.56 
			 Limavady 212.03 30.29 
			 Moyle 240.34 34.33 
			
			  Omagh   
			 Cookstown 222.14 31.73 
			 Dungannon 184.56 26.37 
			 Fermanagh 290.35 41.48 
			 Omagh 236.14 33.73 
			 Strabane 191.47 27.35 
			  Note: Headquarters figures included within districts.

Planning

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many planning applications for new single rural dwellings in the Ards peninsula  (a) there were in the 12 months prior to the introduction of planning policy statement 14 (PPS14) and  (b) there have been since PPS14 was introduced.

David Cairns: In the 12 months prior to the publication of PPS14, in the Ards borough council area, 115 planning applications were received for new single rural dwellings. 37 planning applications have been received since its publication.

Planning

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new single rural dwellings received planning permission in the Ards peninsula in the last five years; and what estimate he has made of how many of these would have been granted using planning policy statement 14 had it been in place.

David Cairns: The latest available figures show thata total of 729 single rural dwellings have received planning permission in the Ards borough council area in the period January 1999 to the beginning of August 2005.
	No estimate has been made as to how many of these would have been granted planning permission using planning policy statement 14 had it been in place since to do so would involve re-assessing each individual planning application.

Plastic Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many people are waiting for  (a) plastic surgery in-patient admission and  (b) initial plastic surgery out-patient assessment in each health trust area in the Province;
	(2)  what the  (a) average and  (b) longest waiting time is for plastic surgery in-patient admission in each health trust area in the Province;
	(3)  what the  (a) average and  (b) longest waiting time is for initial plastic surgery out-patient assessment in each health trust area in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The (i) total number of people waiting for  (a) plastic surgery in-patient admission and  (b) initial plastic surgery out-patient assessment (first out-patient appointment) for each applicable health trust at 30 June 2006 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Patients waiting for plastic surgery at 30 June 2006 
			   Total waiting for plastic surgery 
			  HSS trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Ulster 573 5,061 
			 Royal Group 433 809 
			 Belfast City 58 5 
			 Total 1,064 5,875 
			  Source: Departmental Information returns CH1 and CH3 
		
	
	Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest time waiting for plastic surgery in-patient admission or for initial plastic surgery outpatient assessment (first out-patient appointment). It is however possible to identify the median or mid point and longest waiting time band for both inpatient admission and first out-patient appointment in each applicable health trust area in the Province.
	
		
			  Patients waiting for plastic surgery at 30 June 2006 
			  Months 
			   Median waiting time band  Longest waiting time band 
			  HSS trust  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment  (a) In-patient admission  (b) Out-patient appointment 
			 Ulster 0-2 24+ 9-11 24+ 
			 Royal Group 0-2 9-11 9-11 24+ 
			 Belfast City 0-2 0-2 9-11 3-5 
			  Source: Departmental Information returns CH1 and CH3

Police Vehicles

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of work carried out by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Transport Services on the maintenance of the police vehicle fleet in each of the last three years; and how much was paid to PSNI Transport Services by the Department of Finance and Personnel for this work in each year.

Paul Goggins: It has not been possible to answer the hon. Member's question in this parliamentary session.

Policing (Ards District)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many paramilitary-related incidents were reported in the Ards borough council area in each year since 1980.

Paul Goggins: Table 1 gives the total number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style assaults and shootings in Newtownards sub-division.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   Paramilitary-style assault casualties  Paramilitary-style shooting casualties 
			 1990 — 1 
			 1991 — — 
			 1992 1 — 
			 1993 3 — 
			 1994 1 1 
			 1995 4 — 
			 1996 6 — 
			 1997 6 2 
			 1998 6 — 
		
	
	Table 2 gives the total number of casualties as a result of paramilitary-style assaults and shootings in Newtownards DCU.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			   Paramilitary-style assault casualties  Paramilitary-style shooting casualties 
			 1999 8 — 
			 2000 4 1 
			 2001 12 4 
			 2002 9 8 
			 2003 8 12 
			 2004 7 14 
			 2005 6 16 
			 2006 (to 30 June) 3 — 
		
	
	2006 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

Post Office Card Account

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Post Office card accounts there are in Northern Ireland, broken down by  (a) constituency and  (b) council district.

Peter Hain: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

PSNI

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints against the Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) have been investigated by the Police Ombudsman since the establishment of the office; in how many of those cases  (a) the complaint has been upheld,  (b) reasons for (i) upholding and (ii) rejecting the complaint have been given,  (c) PSNI officers have been the subject of a criminal investigation by the Police Ombudsman,  (d) a case has been taken up by the Director of Public Prosecutions,  (e) a criminal conviction has been secured,  (f) PSNI officers have as a consequence been the subject of disciplinary investigation by the Police Ombudsman,  (g) disciplinary hearings have taken place and  (h) disciplinary penalties have been imposed; and where complaints led to disciplinary penalties what these were in each case.

Paul Goggins: The Police Ombudsman's Office has advised that 7,723 complaints have been referred for investigation since its establishment until 31 March 2006. The Office of the Police Ombudsman does not use the terminology "upheld" and "not upheld" but rather reports on the nature of complaint outcomes. In all cases investigated by the Police Ombudsman the complainant is informed of the reason or reasons which led to the Police Ombudsman's determination. In this period, of the 754 cases referred by thePolice Ombudsman to the Public Prosecution Service, 34 criminal charges were directed by the Public Prosecution Service. In 45 cases the Police Ombudsman recommended that disciplinary charges be preferred against 47 officers and a Superintendents Warning and/or Advice and Guidance was recommended in182 cases against 224 officers.
	The Police Service for Northern Ireland has advised that 30 officers have appeared before misconduct panels on charges relating to complaints. In 21 of these cases disciplinary penalties were imposed including dismissal, requirement to resign, reduction in pay, fines imposed, reprimand and caution.

Psychologists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many whole-time equivalent clinical psychologists are employed by each health trust in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Clinical psychologists employed within the NI HPSS by trust as at 30 September 2006 
			  Trust  Headcount  Whole-time equivalent 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 3 3.00 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 12 11.14 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge Community HSS Trust 11 9.30 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 22 19.86 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 12 10.96 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 2 1.62 
			 Homefirst Community HSS Trust 26 24.08 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 4 4.00 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 11 10.11 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 20 18.71 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 19 18.65 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 4 4.00 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 9 7.41 
			 Total 155 142.84 
			  Source: Human Resource Management Systems

Punishment Beatings

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many punishment beatings have been recorded in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years, broken down by paramilitary organisation responsible.

Paul Goggins: This information is in the public domain and is easily accessible via the extensive statistics section of the PSNI website:
	http://www.psni.police.uk/index/statistics_branch/pg_security_stats.htm

Railways

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Department for Regional Development (DRD) has spent on essential infrastructure work on the Derry-Belfast railway line between  (a) Derry and Ballymena and  (b) Ballymena and Belfast in each of the last three years; and how much DRD plans to spend on that work in each of the next three years.

David Cairns: It is not possible to provide an answer to the hon. Gentleman' question in this parliamentary session.

Rape

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many rapes were reported in each police district command unit area in each of the last five years; how many people were later prosecuted as a result; and what the average sentence imposed by the courts was in each year.

Paul Goggins: This information has been placed in the Library.

Regional Fertility Centre

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients were treated at the Regional Fertility Centre in each of the last five years; how many couples are on the waiting list for treatment at the Centre; what the average waiting time for  (a) initial assessment and  (b) each treatment offered at the Centre was in the last period for which figures are available; and what the longest time is for which a patient has been waiting for (i) initial assessment and (ii) each treatment offered at the Centre.

Paul Goggins: This information is not held centrally and would take some time to collect. It will not be possible to provide an answer within this parliamentary session.

Regional Fertility Centre

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Regional Fertility Centre spent on Menopur in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: This information is not held centrally and would take some time to collect. It will not be possible to provide an answer within this parliamentary session.

Regional Fertility Centre

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of treatments used at the Regional Fertility Centre.

Paul Goggins: The Regional Fertility Centre (RFC) offers a range of fertility treatments including specialised treatment which require to be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). In providing patient care, the RFC is required to comply with HFEA's Code of Practice, which is designed to ensure safe and effective treatment is provided to service users.

Relocation

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) serving and  (b) former members of the (i) Police Service of Northern Ireland, (ii) Royal Irish Regiment and (iii) Northern Ireland Prison Service have moved from their homes after being targeted by (A) Republican and (B) Loyalist paramilitaries in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: Five serving members of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have moved from their homes in the last 12 months as a result of paramilitary threats; one due to a threat from loyalists, and four due to threats from Dissident Republicans. No one from the other categories mentioned has had to move home in the last 12 months as a result of paramilitary threats.

Road Gritting

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  at what temperature Department for Regional Development Roads Services deploys road gritting vehicles;
	(2)  what the lowest recorded temperature was in Derry on the night of 2 November 2006; and how many road gritting vehicles were deployed in Derry on that night.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to these questions.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Parliamentary Questions about at what temperature DRD Roads Services deploys road gritting vehicles, and what the lowest recorded temperature was in Derry on the night of2 November 2006; and how many road gritting vehicles were deployed in Derry on that night. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	Roads Service endeavours to deploy road gritting vehicles before ice or frost forms on the road, however, I can advise that there is no specific temperature at which Roads Service initiates this action. This decision is dictated by a number of factors including:
	road temperature forecasts;
	road temperature in comparison to the dewpoint (the temperature at which air condenses); and
	the presence of other sources of moisture, e.g. standing water on the road surface, or wet conditions.
	Additionally Roads Service will not generally spread salt on dry roads, as moisture is required for ice to form, or during periods of rain due to the probability of wash-off.
	I can confirm that the minimum temperature recorded in Derry on the night of 2 November 2006 was 0C and the road condition was dry.
	However an inspection by staff discovered hoar frost on the Foyle Bridge and one road gritter was deployed.

Road Traffic Accidents

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department has collected on the age of drivers involved in road traffic accidents in the Province in the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: I have been advised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland that information is gathered in respect of road traffic accidents only where there has been a fatality or where injury has been sustained. The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Age of drivers involved in injury road traffic collisions 1996 to 2005 
			   1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  Total 
			  Fatal collision   
			 Under 17 3 3 4 0 1 5 4 3 5 6 34 
			 17-24 52 73 54 61 53 58 64 46 55 46 562 
			 25-34 55 50 62 58 70 64 45 43 51 46 544 
			 35-44 32 38 40 42 57 43 35 45 38 48 418 
			 45-54 33 16 36 33 26 24 30 21 19 32 270 
			 55-64 12 7 15 15 17 12 19 22 19 21 159 
			 65+ 15 8 16 11 14 5 16 18 19 15 137 
			 Unknown 0 4 5 4 2 2 4 3 1 4 29 
			 Total 202 199 232 224 240 213 217 201 207 218 2,153 
			 
			  Serious collision   
			 Under 17 39 61 39 44 40 56 35 37 26 28 405 
			 17-24 464 429 467 415 467 431 438 364 363 298 4,136 
			 25-34 550 548 494 492 530 518 422 355 336 321 4,566 
			 35-44 332 346 360 350 461 456 412 342 308 299 3,666 
			 45-54 222 185 223 199 278 241 237 208 200 187 2,180 
			 55-64 139 115 123 125 145 161 132 122 129 103 1,294 
			 65+ 114 91 101 103 129 130 99 105 95 96 1,063 
			 Unknown 48 77 59 65 128 111 109 77 66 75 815 
			 Total 1,908 1,852 1,866 1,793 2,178 2,104 1,884 1,610 1,523 1,407 18,125 
			 
			  Slight collision   
			 Under 17 218 175 201 193 170 172 142 140 129 93 1,633 
			 17-24 2,328 2,408 2,454 2,482 2,629 2,243 1,953 1,780 1,654 1,525 21,456 
			 25-34 3,238 3,310 3,348 3,449 3,575 2,917 2,719 2,265 2,056 1,767 28,644 
			 35-44 2,119 2,181 2,349 2,531 2,955 2,595 2,456 2,191 2,058 1,729 23,164 
			 45-54 1,338 1,442 1,481 1,472 1,678 1,547 1,470 1,271 1,303 1,120 14,122 
			 55-64 706 758 793 820 979 825 785 785 729 617 7,797 
			 65+ 555 547 561 562 630 600 564 519 528 437 5,503 
			 Unknown 414 456 566 623 777 835 676 619 492 406 5,864 
			 Total 10,916 11,277 11,753 12,132 13,393 11,734 10,765 9,570 8,949 7,694 108,183 
			 
			  All collisions   
			 Under 17 260 239 244 237 211 233 181 180 160 127 2,072 
			 17-24 2,844 2,910 2,975 2,958 3,149 2,732 2,455 2,190 2,072 1,869 26,154 
			 25-34 3,843 3,908 3,904 3,999 4,175 3,499 3,186 2,663 2,443 2,134 33,754 
			 35-44 2,483 2,565 2,749 2,923 3,473 3,094 2,903 2,578 2,404 2,076 27,248 
			 45-54 1,593 1,643 1,740 1,704 1,982 1,812 1,737 1,500 1,522 1,339 16,572 
			 55-64 857 880 931 960 1,141 998 936 929 877 741 9,250 
			 65+ 684 646 678 676 773 735 679 642 642 548 6,703 
			 Unknown 462 537 630 692 907 948 789 699 559 485 6,708 
			 Total 13,026 13,328 13,851 14,149 15,811 14,051 12,866 11,381 10,679 9,319 128,461 
			  Note: Figures include drivers of all vehicles (this includes non-motor vehicles e.g. pedal cycle)

Royal Belfast Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of the infant surgical unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Paul Goggins: The infant surgical unit in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) provides a service for sick infants, many of whom require highly specialised surgery and post-operative care.
	The unit was originally situated in one of the oldest parts of the RBHSC building. That ward has been temporarily closed, and patients have been relocated within other wards in the hospital. As part of a refurbishment within RBHSC, the infant surgical unit will reopen in new facilities adjacent to an existing children's surgical ward. This will provide improved accommodation that can more appropriately meet the needs of ill babies and their families. It is expected that this new unit be ready for use in March 2007.
	These temporary arrangements have not led to any reduction in beds or diminution of the service.

School Governors

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full meetings of boards of governors from each  (a) primary and  (b) post-primary school in the Province have taken place in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: This information is not available from the Department. There is a requirement on the Boards of Governors of all grant-aided schools to meet at least once a term.

Septic Tanks

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what responsibilities and obligations are placed upon the Department for Regional Development Water Service to empty septic tanks at residential properties in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Katharine Bryan, dated 7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what responsibilities and obligations are placed upon the Department for Regional Development Water Service to empty septic tanks at residential properties in Northern Ireland (100283). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Water Service's Chief Executive.
	The Department for Regional Water Service has no responsibilities or obligations to empty any septic tanks in Northern Ireland. Responsibility for the maintenance of private septic tanks lies with the householder and not with Water Service. However, under Article 37 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973, Water Service has the discretion to agree to desludge a private septic tank subject to conditions it considers appropriate, including those relating to charges.
	Water Service has entered into a number of Septic Tank Emptying Agreements with householders in Northern Ireland where the specified conditions have been met. The conditions relate principally to health and safety and practical operational matters.

Septic Tanks

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests received by the Department for Regional Development Water Service to empty septic tanks at residential homes in Northern Ireland were refused in each of the last five years.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan, dated 7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many requests received by the Department for Regional Development Water Service to empty septic tanks at residential homes in Northern Ireland were refused in each of the last five years (100285). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	Water Service does not have a statutory duty to empty septic tanks but may enter into agreements with individual customers provided certain conditions are met (relating to health and safety and practical operational matters). The service is currently provided free of charge, on behalf of Water Service, by private contractors.
	Water Service would only refuse to provide the desludging service to any property if the necessary conditions have not been met or the sewage treatment facility at the property was of a type considered to be outside the scope of the policy in place at that time. Information on such refusals is not held in a formatwhich is readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Septic Tanks

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many bio-disc septic tanks are in use at properties in Northern Ireland; and whether he plans to include the emptying of bio-disc septic tanks in the duties of the Department for Regional Development Water Service.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Katharine Bryan, dated 7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about how many bio-disc septic tanks are in use at properties in Northern Ireland; and what steps he is taking to include the emptying of bio-disc septic tanks in the duties of the Department for Regional Development Water Service. I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	The Department of the Environment's Environment and Heritage Service, which is responsible for approving the use of septic tanks has advised that discharge consents have been granted for approximately 95,000 single domestic dwellings served by some form of septic tank. This Agency however, does not hold records to indicate how many of these septic tank systems would incorporate a bio-disc in the treatment process.
	Water Service does not have a statutory duty to empty septic tanks but may enter into agreements with individual customers provided certain conditions are met (relating to health and safety and practical operational matters). The service is currently provided free of charge, on behalf of Water Service, by private contractors.
	However, because bio-disk sewage treatment plants have mechanical/electrical components, they present additional, and different, risks to contractor operatives than septic tanks and were therefore deemed to be outside the scope of the contract arrangements.
	Water Service is aware that there are increasing numbers of these treatment plants being installed, generating requests to Water Service for an emptying service. As part of the ongoing wider review of our septic tank policy, consideration has been given to the feasibility and cost of including the desludging of bio-disc type tanks within the existing service. I am pleased to advise that following negotiation with our contractors, the desludging of bio-disc type septic tanks has now been included in the contract with the necessary practical arrangements concluded on 24 October 2006.
	However, it should be noted that the new arrangements will only be short-term, as the free septic tank emptying service will be terminated in April 2007 following the introduction of the new domestic charging scheme for all services provided by the Government-owned Company.

Severance Payments (Police)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons his Department gave prior approval to the Northern Ireland Police Fund to make a severance payment to Mr. Desmond Clayton; how much was approved as a payment; and what information the Northern Ireland Police Fund submitted to his Department on  (a) the dismissal of and  (b) the severance payment for Mr. Clayton.

Paul Goggins: It has not been possible to answer this question before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Sewerage

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment was made of the potential model for the operation of the water sewerage service; how and by whom that assessment was conducted; how much it cost; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: A Strategic and Financial Review of the Water Service was undertaken on behalf of the Department for Regional Development. This provided advice on a range of options and a detailed analysis of two structural and financial options for the future delivery of water and sewerage services including a Government corporation model under which Water Service would be Government-owned, but subject to Companies Act legislation. The work was undertaken by a consortium led by UBS Investment Bank, supported by NERA Economic Consulting, Halcrow, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Deloitte and Touche. The assignment cost £482,000.
	The report was published on the DRD website and can be accessed at http://www.waterreformni.gov.uk/water_service_final_report.pdf. A copy of this report will be placed in the Library.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much in costs and expenses was incurred by the commissioners overseeing the management of the South Eastern Education and Library Board in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by main cost area.

Maria Eagle: I understand from the chief executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that the costs and expenses incurred by the commissioners during the period 7 July 2006 to31 October 2006 were as follows:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 Fees 21,022 
			 Travel 1,650 
			 Accommodation 425 
			 Total 23,097

Special Educational Needs

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what funding was allocated by his Department for special educational needs services in the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) area in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what plans he has for future such funding; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of special educational needs provision in the SEELB catchment area.

Maria Eagle: Column A of the table shows the funding spent on special needs education from the South Eastern Education and Library Board's (SEELB) budget in each of the five years from 2000-01. Column B shows the corresponding funding from the Department to voluntary grammar and grant- maintained integrated schools in each of these years.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Financial year  A  B 
			 2000-01 21 0.4 
			 2001-02 23 0.6 
			 2002-03 27 0.7 
			 2003-04 32 1.0 
			 2004-05 31 1.3

Special Needs

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many adults with special needs there are in each health and social services trust area in Northern Ireland; and what care facilities are available to them in each trust area.

Paul Goggins: The number of adults with a learning disability in contact with social services in health and social services trusts, for the year ending 31 March 2005, are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Trust  Learning disabled 
			 North and West Belfast 754 
			 South and East Belfast 710 
			 Ulster 645 
			 Down Lisburn 850 
			 Causeway 492 
			 Homefirst 1,294 
			 Armagh and Dungannon 667 
			 Craigavon and Banbridge 613 
			 Newry and Mourne 504 
			 Foyle 708 
			 Sperrin Lakeland 622 
			 Northern Ireland 7,859 
		
	
	Information on care facilities available in each trust area is not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information becomes available and place a copy in the Library.

Speech and Language Therapy

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Minister for Health expects to bring forward funding and other measures to improve delivery of and access to speech and language therapy in the Western Board area.

Paul Goggins: The Children and Young People's Funding Package, announced in March 2006 provided £4 million recurrent funding to establish multi-disciplinary health teams to work in school settings. Two multi-disciplinary teams will be established in the Western Health and Social Services Board. They will support existing services and help reduce waiting lists for speech and language therapy. When the Speech and Language Therapy Task Force reports in June 2007 it will inform future service provision.

Surveillance

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his approval is required before the Police Service of Northern Ireland is permitted to install bugging equipment as part of a surveillance operation.

Paul Goggins: The hon. Gentleman will understand that it is not Government policy to comment on specific national security and intelligence matters

Sustainable Schools Policy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the sustainable schools policy is expected to be published; and what factors have delayed the completion of the policy.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education plans to issue the policy approach on sustainable schools once the independent Strategic Review of Education being led by Professor Bain has reported. The review is expected to be completed at the end of this month. The review includes in its terms of reference the strategic planning and organisation of the schools estate and its conclusions and recommendations will inform the policy on sustainability of schools.

Telemetry Services

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by the Water service in rationalising its Telemetry Services; and when a decision is expected on a centralised location.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan, dated 7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a parliamentary questions about what progress has been made by the Water Service in rationalising its Telemetry Services; and when a decision is expected in a centralised location. (100347). I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Water Service.
	Water Service's rationalisation of its Telemetry Services at a centralised location has already begun and the initial phase, which involves amalgamating the duties previously performed at the Altnagelvin and Ballymena Telemetry Centres at the Altnagelvin site, will be finalised this month.
	Water Service is working the vision for its structure in the year 2010 and completing its strategic planning respect of it s needs. This is a substantial amount of work and the elements contributing to the decision on the location of the centralised site for the Telemetry Function have yet to be clarified. However, it is unlikely that a decision on the centralisation will be made before late 2007 or early 2008.

Traffic Calming

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the proposed locations are of traffic calming schemes that the Department for Regional Development Roads Service intends to introduce in Strangford constituency in the next 12 months; and when work on each project will commence.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated7 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question, regarding the location of traffic calming schemes that Roads Service proposes to introduce in the Strangford constituency in the next 12 months; and when work on each project is due to commence.
	I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Roads Service has a programme of traffic calming schemes that it proposes to carry out during the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08 subject to the completion of the necessary legislative and consultative processes.
	The attached table at Annex 1 details those schemes proposed to be carried out in the Strangford constituency.
	
		
			  Annex 1: List of traffic calming schemes proposed for the Strangford constituency 
			   Proposed traffic calming measures  Estimated start date 
			 1. Saintfield Gateway feature?enhanced signage and road humps 2006-07 (on site) 
			 2. Portaferry Gateway feature and enhanced signage 2006-07) (on site) 
			 3. Scrabo Estate Newtownards Additional roads humps 2006-07 
			 4. U Movilla Street/Old Movilla Road Newtownards Road humps 2006-07 
			 5. Ballyregan Road Gateway feature and road humps 2006-07 
			 6. Killinchy Gateway feature and road humps 2007-08 
			 7. Kircubbin Gateway feature and enhanced signage 2007-08 
			 8. Old Ballygowan Road, Comber Gateway feature and enhanced signage 2007-08

Two-year-olds

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress on the Planned Development Programme for two-year-olds in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: It has been proposed to base the two-year-old programme on the Birth to Three matters framework, which is DfES-recognised and is currently in use within Sure Start in GB. The final details concerning the content of the programme are in the process of being agreed. It is the intention to train the required number of staff with the aim of implementing the programme by April 2007.

Unionists (Strabane)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Unionists are estimated to have been living in Strabane in  (a) 1993, (b) 1997, (c) 2001 and  (d) 2005.

Peter Hain: The Government have made no such estimate.

Vulnerable Groups

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what additional funding will be made available to implement the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation in the Province; and what the time scales are for implementing the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation in the Province;
	(2)  which Government Departments and agencies will be leading the implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation in the Province;
	(3)  whether a cross-departmental working group will be constituted to implement the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups legislation in the Province.

Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Lady to my answer of 24 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1785W.

HEALTH

Attention Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was of treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Information in the form requested is not collected centrally. However, information is available on the basic cost of the main drugs to treat attention hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) where the prescription was dispensed in the community in England. This information is shown in the following table.
	Our advice, backed by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, is that that care of a child with ADHD should be undertaken by a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a paediatrician with relevant expertise (continued prescribing and monitoring may be performed by a general practitioner). However, drug therapy should only be part of a comprehensive treatment programme that will include interventions based around providing support to parents and teachers.
	
		
			  Net ingredient cost for drugs to treat ADHD for the period September 2005 to August 2006 
			  Drugs  £ 
			 Atomoxetine 4,168,000 
			 Dexamfetamine 88,000 
			 Methylphenidate 14,538,000 
			  Note:  Data are for children aged 0-15 years and those aged 16-18 in full-time education.  Source: Prescription cost analysis data.

Adverse Drug Reactions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of adverse drug reactions she estimates is reported; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card Scheme. Approximately 20,000 reports of ADRs are reported to the MHRA/CHM through this scheme each year. It is not possible to estimate from the yellow card scheme the number of people who suffer adverse reactions to drugs since the scheme is associated with an unknown level of under-reporting.
	While under-reporting of ADRs is a known feature of spontaneous reporting schemes, it is thought to occur less frequently with newly identified, serious and unlabelled reactions (those reactions which are not yet included in the product information). It has been estimated from various sources that 10 per cent. of serious ADRs and between 2 and 4 per cent. of non-serious ADRs are reported and that serious reactions are five times more likely to be reported than non-serious reactions. Under-reporting does not necessarily detract from the ability of drug safety monitoring systems to identify new and important drug safety hazards.
	The MHRA and CHM are continually working to increase the quality and quantity of reports received via the yellow card scheme in order to increase the potential for rapid identification of new drug safety hazards.

Alzheimer's Disease

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of providing drugs for Alzheimer's disease in each of the last five years.

Andy Burnham: The net ingredient cost (NIC) of dispensing donepezil (aricept), galantamine (reminyl), memantine (ebixa) and rivastigmine (exelon) in both primary and secondary care in the years 2001 to 2005, is in the following table.
	
		
			   Primary care—NIC  Secondary care—NIC 
			  £ million 
			 2001 11,005,303 4,812,617 
			 2002 20,567,350 7,654,926 
			 2003 31,347,494 10,576,342 
			 2004 42,765,435 11,857,801 
			 2005 49,256,811 11,976,529 
		
	
	Primary care data are taken from prescription cost analysis (PCA) and secondary care data are taken from the hospital pharmacy audit index (HPAI). Primary care expenditure will include some prescriptions written by doctors in hospital clinics but dispensed in the community.

Alzheimer's Disease

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the most recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence proposals on Alzheimer's drugs.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet published its final guidance to the NHS following its routine review. Until NICE issues new guidance the original 2001 guidance on anti-dementia drugs including those for Alzheimer's remains in force.

Alzheimer's Disease

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response she has received from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to representations from her Department on the Alzheimer's drugs appraisal; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Department of Health responded to the two appraisal consultation documents issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) during the course of this appraisal. The Department's responses are published on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk along with the appraisal committee's comments on the points they contained.

Alzheimer's Disease

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the prescription of Alzheimer's drugs based on clinical need as assessed by medical staff.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has not yet published its final revised guidance to the national health service on drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Ambulance Response Times

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average response time was for ambulances in  (a) England and  (b) Surrey in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 November 2006
	The Department collects ambulance response time data in relation to response time requirements rather than by average response time. Therefore, the information requested is not centrally collected in the required format.
	The data that the Department does collect on ambulance response times has been published on an annual basis in the statistical bulletin, "Ambulance services, England". These documents are available in the Library and on the Department of Health's and Information Centre for health and social care's websites. The most recent data is available in statistical bulletin—"Ambulance Services, England 2005-06" and is available at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/ambulanceserv06

Aphasia

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with aphasia in the east midlands in the last five years; and what proportion of those diagnosed were below the ageof 18.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Audiology

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified audiologists are working in the NHS in each  (a) strategic health authority and  (b) primary care trust.

Rosie Winterton: This information has been placed in the Library. There was a 4 per cent. increase in the number of qualified healthcare scientists working in audiology between September 2004 and September 2005.

Audiology

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking  (a) to train and  (b) to recruit more audiologists for the NHS;
	(2)  how many qualified audiologists there have been in the NHS in each year since 1997.

Ivan Lewis: A BSc course in audiology was introduced in 2003-04.
	The first cohort of BSc audiology students entered training in 2003-04 and are expected to graduate in 2006. Part of commissioning training would involve providing clinical placements on accredited BSc audiology courses.
	Provision of training is a contractual requirement in phase two contracts, and will be provided in close consultation with the deaneries and higher education institutes. There is a commitment to make available35 per cent. of activity for local training organisations to call off.
	The Department's commercial directorate is currently scoping a procurement of audiology services from the independent sector (as part of the independent sector treatment centre programme) which will add significant capacity and resource to audiology services in order to help tackle waiting lists. The procurement is expected to be advertised during November, with service commencement estimated during the latter part of 2007.

Audiology

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average waiting time is for a  (a) hearing test and  (b) fitting for a digital hearing aid;
	(2)  how much was spent on delivering digital hearing aids to patients in 2005-06; and what the expected cost is in each of the next five years;
	(3)  how many people are now on a waiting list for a digital hearing aid, broken down by primary care trust.

Ivan Lewis: Waiting time data for fitting and treatment in audiology services is not collected centrally. Waiting time data have been collected since January 2006 for pure tone audiometry diagnostic tests. This data for August 2006, broken down by primary care trust, were published on 18 October and have been placed in the Library.
	Information about how much was spent on delivering digital hearing aids to patients in 2005-06, and about the anticipated cost of doing so for each of the next five years, is not held centrally.

Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust's ratio of  (a) nurses and  (b) doctors per 100 beds is increased to the national average level.

Rosie Winterton: This is a local matter. Staffing within national health service organisations are the responsibility of the local NHS. Information is not collected on nurse to patient ratios. There is no recommended minimum nurse to patient ratio, it is for NHS organisations to determine their own work force mix.
	I understand that the position with the numbers of nurses and doctors is being systematically addressed locally.

Bedford Hospital

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the financial situation of Bedford hospital NHS trust following her visit on 3 October 2006; and if she will allow the trust extra time to reduce its deficit.

Andy Burnham: The 2006-07 forecast outturn position at quarter one shows that Bedford Hospital National Health Service trust is £4 million in surplus.
	The trust has a turnaround team and is currently working on a four-year financial recovery plan with its primary care trusts and the NHS East of England strategic health authority (SHA). Departmental officials have been advised that the trust is now close to achieving a monthly run-rate balance for this year.
	The aim is for the NHS as a whole to achieve financial balance by the end of 2006-07 and for all overspending organisations to have reached monthly balance of income and expenditure within the same period. The new SHAs have been given the responsibility to develop and implement a service and financial strategy for managing the overall financial position within their health economy.

Breast Cancer

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  the average waiting time for breast cancer genetic test results was in  (a) England and  (b) Cannock Chase in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what progress has been made on  (a) reducing waiting times for breast cancer genetic test results and  (b) strategy for the future of genetic services.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not collect data centrally on waiting times for genetic tests for inherited forms of breast cancer.
	However, the Government recognise that some patients have experienced long waits for genetic tests in the past and this will have caused stress and anxiety. This is unacceptable.
	So, to improve access and cut waiting times, the genetics White Paper "Our Inheritance, Our Future—realising the potential of genetics in the NHS", published in June 2003, committed up to £18 million for NHS genetics laboratories in England. This major investment is boosting capacity and supporting modernisation in genetics laboratories, thus helping them meet the rising demand for genetic tests.
	To ensure that this investment resulted in real patient benefit, the White Paper set out new standards for genetic test turn around times, to be achieved by the end of 2006. These are:
	within three days where the result is needed urgently, for example, for prenatal diagnosis
	within two weeks where the potential genetic mutation is already known, for example, because another family member has already been tested; and
	within eight weeks for unknown mutations in a large gene.
	This money was allocated during the last two financial years (2004-06), and laboratories are working hard to get their new facilities up to speed to meet these standards.
	We are monitoring molecular genetics laboratories' progress through the commissioners of genetic services. The laboratories in two of the eight specialised commissioning group areas are already meeting these standards for genetic tests for breast cancer. Five of the rest are on track to achieve them by the end of 2006 and the remaining one by early 2007.
	We are currently reviewing progress since the publication of the genetics White Paper to see what more needs to be done to equip the NHS to deal with future demand for genetics services. In addition, I will be attending a summit on 23 November, organised by Breakthrough Breast Cancer, to discuss progress on these issues.

Breast Cancer

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the time taken to produce genetic testing results for breast cancer  (a) in England and  (b) in Northumberland since 2004; and whether the plan to clear the backlog of results from 2004 by February 2007 includes cases tested in 2005 and 2006.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect data centrally on waiting times for genetic tests for inherited forms of breast cancer.
	However, the Government recognise that some patients have experienced long waits for genetic tests in the past and this will have caused stress and anxiety. This is unacceptable.
	To improve access and cut waiting times, the genetics White Paper "Our Inheritance, Our Future—realising the potential of genetics in the national health service", published in June 2003, committed up to £18 million for NHS genetics laboratories in England. This major investment is boosting capacity and supporting modernisation in genetics laboratories, thus helping them meet the rising demand for genetic tests.
	To ensure that this investment resulted in real patient benefit, the White Paper set out new standards for genetic test turn around times, to be achieved by the end of 2006. These are:
	Within three days where the result is needed urgently, for example, for prenatal diagnosis;
	within two weeks where the potential genetic mutation is already known, for example, because another family member has already been tested; and within eight weeks for unknown mutations in a large gene.
	This money was allocated during the last two financial years (2004-06), and laboratories are working hard to get their new facilities up to speed to meet these standards.
	We are monitoring molecular genetics laboratories' progress through the commissioners of genetic services. The laboratories in two of the eight specialised commissioning group areas are already meeting these standards for new referrals of genetic tests for breast cancer. Five of the rest are on track to achieve them by the end of 2006 and the remaining one by early 2007.
	Genetic services have drawn up plans locally to deal with backlogs, which for a number of reasons vary in size and nature between centres. Their rate of progress has also depended on the timescale for getting new equipment and processes operational. All areas are working to clear backlogs as quickly as possible.
	The plans to clear backlogs for the laboratory providing the service for Northumberland include samples referred for testing in 2005, and in 2006 prior to the additional capacity becoming available. The laboratory originally anticipated clearing all backlogs by February 2007. However current staff shortages and a greater than anticipated rise in demand for genetic testing services mean that the date for clearing all of the backlog is likely to slip to later in 2007.

Campylobacter Infections

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the incidence of campylobacter infections was in the most recent 24 months for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The following data are laboratory reports of human isolates of campylobacter for the period July 2004 to June 2006 in England and Wales, and Northern Ireland and week 21 of 2004 to week 28 of 2006 in Scotland. It has not been possible to produce a combined United Kingdom monthly figure due to differences in the way that the data is recorded.
	
		
			  Laboratory reports( 1)  of Campylobacter: England and Wales 
			  Month  2004  2005 ( 2) 2006 
			 January — 2,174 2,695 
			 February — 2,329 2,416 
			 March — 2,350 2,441 
			 April — 3,173 2,261 
			 May — 3,965 3,957 
			 June — 6,257 5,716 
			 July 4,237 5,239 — 
			 August 4,410 5,104 — 
			 September 4,571 5,107 — 
			 October 3,531 3,749 — 
			 November 3,239 3,804 — 
			 December 2,492 3,047 — 
			 (1 )Figures presented are for faeces and lower gastrointestinal tract isolates by earliest specimen month (2 )Provisional  Source:  Centre for infections, environmental and enteric diseases, Health Protection Agency 
		
	
	
		
			  Laboratory reports of Campylobacter: Northern Ireland 
			  Month  2004  2005 ( 1) 2006 
			 January — 43 47 
			 February — 45 44 
			 March — 51 64 
			 April — 58 47 
			 May — 90 98 
			 June — 129 129 
			 July 78 96 — 
			 August 97 86 — 
			 September 73 85 — 
			 October 92 80 — 
			 November 66 80 — 
			 December 33 48 — 
			 (1) Provisional  Source: Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland 
		
	
	
		
			  Laboratory reports of Campylobacter Scotland 
			  4-week period  2004  2005 ( 1) 2006 
			 1-4 — 178 210 
			 5-8 — 236 269 
			 9-12 — 212 222 
			 13-16 — 227 235 
			 17-20 — 277 237 
			 21-24 389 474 501 
			 25-28 455 466 551 
			 29-32 448 516 — 
			 33-36 438 506 — 
			 37-40 428 366 — 
			 41-44 339 374 — 
			 45-48 351 389 — 
			 49-52 (2)294 360 — 
			 (1) Provisional (2) There were 53 reporting weeks in 2004, the data for week 53 is included in the data for weeks 49-52  Source: Health Protection Scotland

Cancelled Operations

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS operations were cancelled in Lancashire due to  (a) administrative errors,  (b) lack of beds,  (c) outbreaks of MRSA or other infections,  (d) the lack of correct or clean equipment and  (e) missing notes in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The information is not available in the format requested. Figures for last minute cancellations of operations for non-clinical reasons in the former Lancashire and Cumbria strategic health authority area are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of cancellations 
			 2002-03 2,990 
			 2003-04 2,583 
			 2004-05 2,307 
			 2005-06 2,357 
			  Source: Department of Health dataset QMCO

Capability Review

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she plans to publish the results of her Department's capability review, referred to in the Prime Minister's letter to her dated 15 May 2006.

Ivan Lewis: The planning for the capability review is still in its early stages. The current provisional expectation is that the report for the Department of Health will be published in the summer of 2007.

Care Homes

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to ensure that those resident in hospitals, nursing homes and residential homes managed by independent or voluntary sector organisations are able to gain access to primary care services where such services are not being provided by general practitioners.

Caroline Flint: None—such people have the same entitlement to register with a general practice as other citizens.

Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the change in costs for the national health service arising as a result of climate change impacts over the next 10 years.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Morley and Rothwell (Colin Challen) on 21 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1803W.

Clinicenta Bid

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many bids were made for the development, construction and operation of the new surgical hubs and assessment and diagnostic centres in South London for which Clinicenta has been made preferred bidder; what consideration was given to an in-house NHS bid; and what the difference in cost was between the Clinicenta bid and an in-house NHS bid;
	(2)  what the cost is of the contract for the development, construction and operation of the new surgical hubs and assessment and diagnostic centres in South London for which Clinicenta has been made preferred bidder; and on what grounds Clinicenta was made the preferred bidder.

Ivan Lewis: The South London scheme is part of the second phase of procurement of health services from the independent sector. The procurement is being conducted in compliance with European Union procurement law.
	Interested parties responded to an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union and were sent a memorandum of information (MOI) and a pre-qualifying questionnaire (PQQ). From the response to the MOI and PQQ, four bidders were invited to negotiate and meet specific criteria including clinical services, workforce, information management and technology, contract management and finance. One of the four invitations to negotiate was issued to a national health service body/private sector joint venture and their bid was evaluated together with the other bids received. The same process of evaluation was undertaken for each bid. The difference in costs between the bids are commercially sensitive and cannot be disclosed.
	Clinicenta were appointed preferred bidder as they were considered able to provide high quality medical services for NHS patients and provide best value for money.
	Negotiations are ongoing and no contract has been signed. Information on the value of the contract is commercially sensitive and its disclosure would undermine the Department's ability to obtain best value for money in negotiating this and other schemes.

Clostridium Difficile

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Health what guidance her Department has givento  (a) NHS hospitals,  (b) nursing and care homes, (c) dentists,  (d) ambulance trusts,  (e) general practitioners,  (f) other hospitals,  (g) St. John's Ambulance Service and  (h) the British Red Cross on preventing  Clostridium difficile; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: All those providing health care services need high standards of hygiene to prevent infections. Specific measures to control  Clostridium difficile are restriction, where possible, of broad spectrum antibiotics, isolation of patients and enhanced environmental cleaning. All of these measures are most relevant to their providing in-patient services.
	The following specific guidance on  Clostridium difficile has been made available to national health service staff.
	A joint professional letter from the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Nursing Officer went out to NHS trusts in December 2005 to remind them of the importance of this infection. This letter listed the key actions to control  Clostridium difficile and highlighted the guidance available(1,2). The letter is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/55/23/04125523.pdf
	A high impact intervention on  Clostridium difficile was added to our delivery programme "Saving lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infections including MRSA" in June 2006. This tool will help to reduce infections. Although much of the current guidance is still extant we have asked the health protection agency to review the national guidance, this should be ready in the spring.
	A simple guide to  Clostridium difficile and the national  Clostridium difficile standards group: Report to the Department of Health are also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/06/76/51/04067651.pdf
	(1) Clostridium Difficile Infection, Prevention and Management, a report by Department of Health/PHLS joint working group. 1994.
	(2) Guidelines for optimal surveillance of  Clostridium difficile infection in hospitals Brazier JS and Duerden BI. Guidelines for optimal surveillance of  Clostridium difficile infection in hospitals. Comm.Dis.Pub.Health. 1998:1;(4) 229-230.

Community Hospitals

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State forHealth which strategic health authorities had submitted bids for capital funding for community hospitals by 21 October; for which projects strategic health authorities asked for capital funding; in which primary care trust areas were community hospitals for which bids were received; how much was requested for each community hospital; when she expects capital funding to be made available to successful bidders; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Department has received bids for capital funding for community hospitals from North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, South West, South Central and London strategic health authorities (SHAs).
	The Department is now assessing these bids in consultation with these strategic health authorities, and hopes to be able to provide further information by December.
	The Department is distributing £750 million capital for new community hospitals and services over the next five years.
	East of England SHA expects to submit a bid for capital funding by the end of the year, and the Department anticipates that South East Coast SHA will submit a bid in 2007-08.

Connected Care Pilot

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Connected Care pilot project in the Owton ward of the Hartlepool constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: This is not a formal Department project. We will, however, be interested in the outcome of the pilot.

Counterfeit Prescription Drugs

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department and its agencies are taking to limit the importation of counterfeit prescription drugs.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 11 September 2006
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for dealing with counterfeit medicines in the United Kingdom (UK). Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for specifically tackling the importation of counterfeit medicines into the UK.
	The MHRA operates a comprehensive anti-counterfeiting strategy which focuses on domestic and international collaboration with partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure that current safeguards work effectively and that vigilance against counterfeit medicines entering the legitimate UK supply chain is maintained. In the UK, the key stakeholders with whom regular meetings are held to identify ways to collectively deal with counterfeit medicines are HMRC, the police, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical trade associations.
	HMRC tackles the importation of counterfeit medicines by using its powers to take enforcement action against goods that breach the import and export prohibitions on counterfeit, pirated or patent infringing intellectual property rights as set out in EC Council Regulation 1383/2003. HMRC has publicised these procedures in Public Notice No 34 "Intellectual Property Rights", which can be viewed at www.hmrc.gov.uk/Forms leaflets and booklets.
	HMRC targets counterfeit goods at import and export using profiles set on its central systems in response to information received from intellectual property right holders who have submitted an application to have their rights protected. HMRC detains any suspect consignments and provides the right holder with information that has been declared to HMRC, including details of the goods, importer/exporter and manufacturer. HMRC will seize any goods where the right holder confirms in a witness statement that the goods are counterfeit.
	Where HMRC detects a consignment of medicines that it suspects is counterfeit, and there is no application from a right holder in place, HMRC will detain the goods and invite the right holder to lodge an application. If the right holder does so within three working days and subsequently confirms in a witness statement that the goods are counterfeit, HMRC will seize the goods.

Dairy Industry

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many inspections of UK milk and dairy products establishments were carried out by the Food Standards Agency in each year since 1997, broken down by region; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent estimate she has made of Government spending on the inspection of UK milk and dairy products establishments, broken down by region in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I have assumed that the references to regulations relate to the food hygiene legislation applicable to milk and dairy products establishments. Beyond hygiene, milk and dairy products are, as with other foods, required to be compliant with general food law and legislation including labelling, contaminants, additives and composition. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved administrations.
	I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that between 1997 and 31 December 2005 the hygiene legislation under which milk and dairy products establishments were regulated in England was the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (as amended) and the Milk and Dairies (General) Regulations 1959 (as amended). On 1 January 2006, new and directly applicable EC food hygiene legislation came into effect which superseded this legislation (Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004).
	The Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate (DHI) is part of the State Veterinary Service (an executive agency of DEFRA) and acts on behalf of the agency in administering and enforcing the hygiene legislation at registered milk production holdings prior to processing such as pasteurisation, bottling or the manufacture of dairy products. Local authorities enforce the regulations in establishments undertaking activities in relation to milk beyond the remit of the DHI and the remainder of the dairy industry.
	The Agency has obtained information from the DHI relating to inspections of registered milk production holdings carried out in England during the period requested which is set out in the table. I am advised that information is not collected in such a way that allows it to be presented by region.
	
		
			  Inspections carried out by the Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate in England, 1996-97 to 2005-06 
			   Number of inspections  Dairy hygiene inspectorate costs (£)  Number of final notices of intention to cancel registration issued 
			 1996-97 11,948 955,413 73 
			 1997-98 12,198 1,128,188 51 
			 1998-99 10,002 940,188 60 
			 1999-2000 10,048 900,332 63 
			 2000-01(1) 8,812 828,328 120 
			 2001-02(1) 4,214 339,570 80 
			 2002-03 13,472 1,293,312 164 
			 2003-04 13,543 1,299,072 170 
			 2004-05 13,324 1,330,972 178 
			 2005-06 13,119 1,338,138 142 
			 (1) 2000-01 and 2001-02 figures are reduced due to the suspension of inspections during the foot and mouth outbreak.  Source: Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate 
		
	
	Given the remit of the DHI, the final notices to which reference is made in the table will have been issued due to breaches of the hygiene legislation. The agency was advised that the DHI does not collect other information on breaches centrally.
	Information on local authority food law enforcement, including breaches resulting in formal enforcement action, is collected by the agency under monitoring arrangements to satisfy European requirements. However, this does not provide the level of detail required for information on milk and dairy products nor does the agency collect information on the costs of these activities.
	There are currently approximately 1,100 approved dairy products establishments in England which are required to be inspected in accordance with the statutory food law code of practice at a minimum frequency of six months.

Dentistry

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) adults and  (b) children were registered with an NHS dentist in each parliamentary constituency in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The latest information available for registration data covering this time series has been published by the information centre for health and social care in "NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report England: 31 March 2006". The spreadsheet placed in the Library shows these data.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there were per head of population in  (a) England and  (b) each region in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is set out in the table which has been placed in the Library. The information shows the position as at31 March for each full year from 1997 to 2006.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many students  (a) started and  (b) graduated from dentistry courses in England in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information in respect of home and European Union students studying at dental schools in England is as follows.
	
		
			   Students admitted  Students who graduated 
			 1997 631 504 
			 1998 603 542 
			 1999 600 563 
			 2000 623 554 
			 2001 626 591 
			 2002 665 566 
			 2003 672 524 
			 2004 670 548 
			 2005 848 565 
		
	
	Because dentistry is a five-year course, the number of graduates is determined by admissions five years previously.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was allocated for dental studies in each year since 1997; and whether this money is ringfenced.

Rosie Winterton: The Department allocated the following sums to national health service trusts in England with dental teaching hospitals to fund the clinical teaching of dental students. The funds are referred to as the "Dental Service Increment for Teaching". Where a dental hospital is located within a larger hospital complex, the trust has discretion on how to fund overheads relating to the management of its common services and estate.
	
		
			   £000 
			 1997 46,124 
			 1998 47,797 
			 1999 49,531 
			 2000 51,327 
			 2001 53,199 
			 2002 55,118 
			 2003 57,929 
			 2004 64,865 
			 2005 63,104 
			 2006 68,812

Departmental IT

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which information technology projects cost her Department more than £50,000 since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded such contract.

Ivan Lewis: The information for projects over £100,000 is listed as follows for projects where a qualified tender has been required as part of the project. It is not possible to provide this information for projects below £100,000 as this information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The data shown in the table is therefore incomplete.
	
		
			  Project  Supplier to whom contract awarded  Number of qualified tenders 
			 Processing of Abortion Statistics Image Fast Ltd. 3 
			 DH Finance System Cap Gemini 3 
			 Drugs Misuse Database AEAT (now SERCO) 2 
			 The Club Xansa 22 
			 National Programme for IT BT Over 100 
			  Atos Origin  
			  BT CCA  
			  Accenture  
			  CSC  
			  Fujitsu

Departmental Travel

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by her Department on  (a) chartering aircraft and  (b) non-scheduled air travel, in each of the last five years.

Ivan Lewis: This information requested cannot be provided within disproportionate cost limits.
	In respect of overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers, since 1999 the Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. Where non-scheduled aircraft are used this is shown in the list. Information for 2005-06 was published on 24 July 2006. Copies of the lists are available in the Library.
	All Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the 'Ministerial Code' and 'Travel by Ministers', copies of which are available in the Library for the reference of Members. All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the 'Civil Service Management Code', a copy of which is also available in the Library.

Disabled Staff

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of  (a) staff and  (b) new staff employed since April 2005 in (i) her Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which she has responsibility is recorded as disabled.

Ivan Lewis: The information available is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage of staff recorded as disabled  Percentage of staff employed since April 2005 recorded as disabled 
			 Department of Health (excluding agencies) 4.2 2.5 
			 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 0.8 0.0 
			 NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency 2.6 0.0

Doctor:Nurse Ratios

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Health what is the average ratio of  (a) nurses and  (b) doctors per 100 hospital beds in (i) England and (ii) each primary care trust in London; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The average ratio of nurses and doctors per 100 hospital beds in England and in the London strategic health authority is shown in the table.
	It is not possible to provide information in respect of all nurses and doctors per 100 beds in the format requested because staff and numbers of hospital beds in national health service trusts are not recorded by primary care trust.
	
		
			  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS):  Medical and dental staff and qualified nursing staff per 100 available beds 
			  Number and full-time equivalents 
			   England  London SHA 
			   Number  Fte  Number  Fte 
			 All available beds (1) 175,646 n/a 28,116 n/a 
			 Qualified Nurses (2) 381,257 307,744 66,240 53,908 
			 per 100 beds 217 : 100 175 : 100 236 : 100 792 : 700 
			 Medical and Dental Staff(2) 90,630 82,568 19,330 17,406 
			 per 100 beds 52 : 100 47 : 100 69 : 100 62 : 700 
			 n/a = not applicable (1) Beds data is number of available beds 2005-06. (2 )Workforce Data is numbers (headcount) and full time equivalents as at 30 September 2005.  Sources:  Department of Health form KH03 (Beds Data) The Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Dyspraxia

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken by the Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust to ensure that high quality specialist local provision is available for children with severe verbal dyspraxia.

Ivan Lewis: It is for local national health service organisations to provide and develop services according to the needs of local people.
	The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust currently provides this service at the Nuffield Speech and Language Unit in Ealing and the future delivery of this service is under review.
	In the meantime, the trust has undertaken to continue to provide appropriate services in the 2006-07 academic year for any children who are referred to the trust.

East of England Strategic Health Authority

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the review of acute hospital services in the east of England by the East of England strategic health authority; what part she will play in the review; what plans she has for a new hospital in central Hertfordshire providing cancer services; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local national health service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high quality NHS services including services for cancer patients.

East of England Strategic Health Authority

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  on which occasions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have met (i) the chairman and (ii) the interim chief executive of the East of England strategic health authority;
	(2)  what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had with the East of England strategic health authority on the future of the Hatfield hospital scheme; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had with the East of England strategic health authority on the future of (i) Queen Elizabeth II hospital, Welwyn Garden City and (ii) Lister hospital, Stevenage;
	(4)  on which occasions in 2006  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have met representatives of (i) Hertfordshire primary care trust and (b) East and North Herts NHS trust.

Andy Burnham: Officials from the Department's capital investment branch and the East of England strategic health authority (SHA) are invited to and regularly attend meetings of the project boards which both East and North Hertfordshire national health service trust and Hertfordshire primary care trust (PCT) have established to take forward their respective capital investment plans.
	I met with the chair and finance director of the East of England SHA and the interim and new chief executive on 21 June, 20 July and on 17 October, where the future of the newly formed SHA was discussed in general terms.
	Departmental officials met with the interim chief executive of the new NHS East of England on6 October for a mid-year finance review meeting.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visited Hertfordshire on 4 October and during the visit she met and had lunch with number of people from West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS trust, chairs and chief executive of Hertfordshire PCT and Watford hospital.

Edgware Community Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients used services at Edgware community hospital in the last 12 months, broken down by department.

Andy Burnham: This information is not held centrally.

Efexor XL Capsules

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what and how many reports her Department has received on the side effects of Efexor XL capsules (venlafaxine); and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will assess the effects and appropriateness of the use of Efexor XL capsules (venlafaxine);
	(3)  under what circumstances a GP may prescribe Efexor XL capsules (venlafaxine) without the advice of a hospital consultant;
	(4)  what the recommended dosage is for the prescription of Efexor XL capsules (venlafaxine) by  (a) GPs and  (b) hospital consultants;
	(5)  under what circumstances Efexor XL capsules (venlafaxine) may be prescribed; and by whom.

Andy Burnham: Venlafaxine (brand names Efexor, Efexor XL) is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant. The Efexor brand is authorised for the treatment of major depressive disorder at a recommended dose of75 milligrams (mg) daily and a maximum dose of375 mg daily. The Efexor XL brand is a modified release product additionally authorised for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) at a recommended dose of 75 mg daily.
	Since venlafaxine was first authorised in 1994 its safety has been closely monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Up to 26 October 2006, a total of 4,739 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been received through the yellow card scheme in association with the use of venlafaxine. The most commonly reported suspected ADRs include withdrawal reactions on stopping treatment, nausea, dizziness, headache, vomiting, increased sweating and tremor. All of these are recognised side effects and are listed in the product information provided for prescribers.
	In May 2003, an expert working group of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) was set up to consider further the safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and related antidepressants such as venlafaxine, with a particular focus on withdrawal reactions and a possible link with suicidal behaviour.
	The conclusions and key findings of the expert group were communicated to health professionals on6 December 2004 to coincide with the publication of guidelines on the treatment of depression by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The CSM and its expert working group concluded that SSRIs and venlafaxine are effective medicines in the treatment of depression and anxiety conditions, and that the balance of risks and benefits of all SSRIs and venlafaxine in adults remains positive in their licensed indications.
	During the expert group's review, concerns were raised about the potential for cardiotoxicity and toxicity in overdose associated with venlafaxine. A review of the available data led to restrictions of venlafaxine to specialist, for example hospital consultant, initiation and addition of contra-indications in patients with heart disease. A comprehensive report of the expert group's findings and the evidence base for these conclusions has been published and is available on the MHRA's website.
	The safety of venlafaxine remains under close constant scrutiny by the MHRA. As new data emerges this is carefully evaluated and if necessary new prescribing advice to maximise its safe use is issued. In May 2006, health care professionals and patients were informed of updated prescribing advice for venlafaxine following further MHRA review of these restrictions and evaluation of new evidence, in particular relating to toxicity in overdose.
	The new prescribing advice is as follows:
	the need for specialist, for example hospital consultant, supervision in those severely depressed or hospitalised patients who need doses of 300 mg daily or more;
	cardiac contra-indications are more targeted towards high risk groups;
	a reminder that patients with uncontrolled hypertension should not take venlafaxine and that for all patients blood pressure should be monitored; and
	updated advice on possible drug interactions.
	In December 2004, NICE issued two separate guidelines for the management of depression and anxiety disorders both of which include recommendations relating to the use of venlafaxine. An independent working group of representatives from the anxiety and depression guideline development groups have been asked to determine what changes need to be made to recommendations about venlafaxine in light of the data underpinning the changes in the venlafaxine product information for prescribers. It is expected that NICE will publish the updated recommendations early in 2007.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when support for embryonic stem cell research became Government policy; who was consulted beforehand; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: United Kingdom law on embryo research has evolved over 20 years through public and parliamentary debate. Throughout this time there have been many influencing factors that have helped shape Government policy, including the Warnock Report in 1984. Following the discovery of human embryonic stem cells and cloning mammalian cells, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Genetics Advisory Committee consulted extensively. Their report was considered by the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on Cloning in 2000. All were subject to extensive public and parliamentary debates.

Emergency Admissions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency admissions for  (a) angina and  (b) asthma there were in hospitals in Peterborough and Stamford NHS foundation trust area in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The latest available information on the number of emergency admissions for angina and asthma in hospitals under Peterborough and Stamford NHS foundation trust in each year since 2001 is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Count of finished admission episodes for angina and asthma at Peterborough and Stamford NHS Foundation Trust. Admission method (Emergency) 
			   Angina  Asthma 
			 2001-02 664 328 
			 2002-03 715 340 
			 2003-04 706 382 
			 2004-05 728 414 
			  Notes: Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. Admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. Diagnosis (primary diagnosis): The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. Angina defined as the following ICD-10 code in primary diagnosis: 120 Angina Pectoris Asthma defined as the following ICD-10 codes in primary diagnosis: J45 Asthma J46 Status asthmaticus Emergency Admission is defined as the following admission methods: 21 = Emergency: via accident and emergency (A&E) services, including the casualty department of the provider 22 = Emergency: via general practitioner (GP) 23 = Emergency: via Bed Bureau, including the Central Bureau 24 = Emergency: via consultant outpatient clinic 28 = Emergency: other means, including patients who arrive via the A&E department of another health care provider.  Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data; that is the data is ungrossed.  Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.

Executive Coaches

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what use is made of executive coaches by her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: It is recognised good practice for employers to support the development of their staff. Many permanent secretaries and senior officials in Government Departments, like chief executives and directors of major public and private sector organisations, have benefited from tailored support both as individuals and in teams. Such support has been made available to Ministers and senior civil servants in the Department on this basis. All costs are met from within the existing administration budgets.

Fiscal Incentives

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2006,  Official Report, column 759W, on fiscal incentives, what her Department's most recent assessment is of the merits of the use of fiscal incentives in order to promote public health; what assessment she has made of the ways fiscal incentives could form part of the social marketing approach to incentivise people to change their behaviour; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: All matters relating to tax are, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He will take all relevant factors into consideration when making decisions at the Budget.

Fluoridation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations the Government have made to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics on fluoridation.

Rosie Winterton: The Government have made no representations to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics working party on public health with respect to issues relating to water fluoridation during its consultation period nor has it been invited to. The Government's policy with respect to water fluoridation is in the public domain and is therefore available to the working party should they wish to see it.

General Practitioners

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single-handed practitioners there are in England; and how many of them have not received the full amount of seniority pay appropriate to their years of experience within the NHS in the financial years 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Rosie Winterton: The latest available general practitioner census information, September 2005, identifies there are currently 2,176 single handed GPs in England.
	Information on numbers of single-handed GPs who may not have received the full amount of seniority pay appropriate to their experience in the national health service is not collected centrally.

General Practitioners

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the tender for the new contract for general practitioner services for the Middleton area of Milton Keynes is expected to be issued.

Rosie Winterton: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local national health service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high quality NHS services.
	However, I understand that Milton Keynes PCT has yet to formalise the precise timetable for the process to select a provider for primary medical services for residents in the eastern expansion area of Milton Keynes.

Health Expenditure (Surrey)

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on health care per capita in Surrey in  (a) 1997-98 and  (b) 2004-05.

Andy Burnham: The following table shows the total expenditure per head by organisations within the Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority area for the years requested.
	
		
			  £ 
			   In cash terms  In real terms at 2004-05 prices 
			 1997-98 618.46 726.11 
			 2004-05 1,181.31 1,181.31 
			  Notes: Expenditure on general dental services and pharmaceutical services accounted for by the Dental Practice Board and prescription pricing division (formerly the Prescription Pricing Authority) of the NHS business services authority, respectively, are excluded. This expenditure cannot be included within the figures for the individual health bodies as they are not included in commissioner accounts  Sources: Audited accounts of relevant health authorities 1997-98 Audited summarisation forms of Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority 2004-05 Audited summarisation schedules of relevant primary care trusts 2004-05 Office of National Statistics un-weighted population figures

Health Expenditure Weighting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 August to question 13422, what weight of resources expressed as a proportion of the whole capitation target is accounted for in respect of  (a) age,  (b) additional need and  (c) unavoidable geographical difference in the cost of providing health care.

Andy Burnham: The adjustments in the weighted capitation formula for age, need and unavoidable geographical difference in the cost of providing health care generate a separate index comparing the primary care trust (PCT) score on the index to the national average. The indices are simultaneously applied to the PCT population to produce a weighted population. Therefore, it is not possible to provide their relative weighting.
	However, the indices for the Hospital and Community Health Services component of the formula which accounts for 77 per cent. of the overall allocation for PCTs that fall within the St. Ives constituency, along with the national maximum and minimum are shown in the table. Different indices are used to calculate the prescribing, primary medical services and HIV/AIDs components of the formula.
	
		
			   Age index  Need index  Market forces factor index 
			 Minimum 0.85 0.71 0.90 
			 Central Cornwall 1.09 0.96 0.90 
			 North and East Cornwall 1.08 0.94 0.92 
			 Maximum 1.25 1.52 1.21 
		
	
	The full indices are published in the PCT revenue resource limits exposition book for each allocation round. Exposition books are available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/allocations.

Health Expenditure Weighting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 August to question 13422, for each of the three elements of the national weighted capitation formula, what level of capita capitation targets have been set for each of the primary care trusts for the financial year  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07.

Andy Burnham: A single weighted capitation target is calculated for each primary care trust (PCT) at each allocation round. Weighted capitation targets are not set separately for the age, need and unavoidable geographical difference in cost adjustments.
	PCT targets are in section 4 of the 2003-04 to 2005-06 PCT revenue resource limits exposition book and in section 3 of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 PCT revenue resource limits exposition book. Both are available in the Library and at www.dh.gov.uk/allocations.

Healthcare Commission

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many complaints have been considered by the Healthcare Commission since its inception; and what the  (a) average and  (b) maximum time taken has been between initial acceptance of a complaint and final outcome;
	(2)  how many complaints are under consideration by the Healthcare Commission; and what proportion of these has been under consideration for up to  (a) three months and  (b) six months.

Andy Burnham: The Healthcare Commission assumed responsibility for the independent review of national health service complaints at the end of July 2004. I understand from the chairman of the commission that between then and 24 October 2006, it received 18,100 requests for review. The commission has closed 13,400 cases. Of the remaining 4,700 open cases, 3,200 (68 per cent.) have been with the commission for more than three months. 2,400 ofthe open cases (51 per cent.) have been with the commission for more than six months.
	I also understand from the chairman of the Healthcare Commission that as at 30 September 2006, the average age of a closed case was six and a half months. The longest time to resolve a case was two years and two months—this case raised a number of complex issues which required detailed clinical advice.

Hemicrania Continua

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will direct the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to assess the  (a) cost and  (b) clinical effectiveness of occipital nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemicrania continua.

Rosie Winterton: My right hon. Friend has no plans at this time to refer occipital nerve stimulation for the treatment of hemicrania continua to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Hepatologists

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hepatologists there are working in the NHS in England; and which hospitals in England have a resident hepatologist.

Rosie Winterton: Information about the number of hepatologists is not collected centrally.

Herbal Medicinal Products Directive

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many applications for the registration of products under the provisions of the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive have been received by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency; how many of those applications relate to products containing  (a) a single herbal ingredient and  (b) more than one herbal ingredient; what the planned timescale is for processing those applications; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received 13 applications to register products under the traditional herbal registration scheme. All of these applications are for products containing single active ingredients. In line with European legislative requirements the MHRA aims to complete the assessment within a maximum of 210 days from the submission of a valid application.

Hospital and Community Data

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the combined algorithm for hospital and community data to be published; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: All such information is published at the appropriate time.

Hospital Closures

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings  (a) she,  (b) her Ministers and  (c) her officials have had with (i) the chairman of the Labour party, (ii) Labour party employees and (iii) Downing street officials regarding hospital closures in Gloucestershire; and if she will place in the Library the records of those meetings.

Ivan Lewis: Neither the Secretary of State for Health nor any of her Ministers or officials have met with the chairman of the Labour party, Labour party employees or Downing street officials regarding hospital closures in Gloucestershire.

Heat Map / Health Service Reconfiguration

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library the heat maps that have been prepared by her Department to analyse the impact of hospital closures.

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a copy of the heat map discussed in her meeting of 3 July with the Labour Party chairman and Minister without portfolio at the Cabinet Office.

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has produced maps which show the impact of recent health reconfigurations by constituency.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 16 October 2006
	The Department produced a set of maps following discussions with strategic health authorities (SHAs). These gave an indication of local media coverage of health service issues by SHA. The maps were not produced on a constituency basis. They have not been updated. Copies of the maps have been placed in the Library and can be viewed on the Department's website:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/FreedomOfInformation/EreadingRoom/fs/en

Independent Sector Treatment Centres

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department will include the provision of training as a contractual obligation for phase two independent sector treatment centres.

Ivan Lewis: Provision of training is a contractual requirement in phase two contracts. In all schemes capacity will be available to postgraduate deans and higher education institutes for training purposes.

Independent Sector Treatment Centres

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS staff will be able to work in phase two independent sector treatment centres under the additionality rules; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Additionality waivers have been agreed in respect of phase two of the independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) programme. The waivers enable national health service employees who are not in the list of shortage professions for the phase two ISTCs to be employed and all NHS professions to apply to work in the ISTCs during their non-contracted hours.
	This approach will ensure that opportunities are available in ISTCs while continuing to conserve skills for other providers of NHS services. Newly qualified graduates and anyone made redundant are exempt from the additionality arrangements. Anyone who is declared at risk of redundancy can apply for an additionality waiver.
	The list of shortage professions for the phase two ISTCs has been placed in the Library.

Independent Sector Treatment Centres

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to consult patient groups, NHS unions and the wider public before awarding contracts to independent treatment centres.

Ivan Lewis: Individual phase two independent sector treatment centre schemes are being developed in partnership with the local national health service. The decision about whether to consult locally and, if so, the level, scope and scale of consultation must be for individual strategic health authorities and primary care trusts, taken in the light of local circumstances and the duties set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and the Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002 Act.
	A MORI poll carried out in 2005 showed that three out of four people would be equally happy to go to either an NHS or an independent sector provider for their treatment. Ultimately, the decision whether or not patients are referred to an NHS or independent sector provider will be dependent on the choice of individual patients.

Kernicterus

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department has taken in response to recommendations made by the Chief Medical Officer on page 37 of his annual report 2005 for the prevention of Kernicterus.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has considered the recommendations made by the chief medical officer on page 37 of his annual report 2005. In response, a review of screening for Kernicterus has been commissioned by the UK National Screening Committee (NSC). The review will assess the case for screening against the NSCs internationally recognised screening criteria. The Department will consider whether additional information should be added to its 'Pregnancy Book' when it is next revised.

Long-term Care

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her latest estimate is of the additional cost of implementing in full the recommendations of the Royal Commission on long-term care.

Ivan Lewis: In England, the Government have accepted each of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on long term care except the recommendation that personal care should be provided free at the point of delivery to all in all settings. We estimate that the cost of implementing free personal care in England would be around £1.5 billion at 2003-04 prices.
	The Personal Social Services Research Unit has recently published "Paying for Long-Term Care for Older People in the UK: Modelling the Costs and Distributional Effects of a Range of Options", which models a range of options for funding long-term care, including making personal care free to all in all settings.
	The report gives estimated public expenditure costs at 2002 prices of between £1.35 billion and £1.8 billion, depending on the way in which free personal care is implemented. This covers residential and home care for older people. It covers the whole of the United Kingdom. The England equivalent range would be about £1.2 billion to £1.6 billion. These estimates take account of limited offsetting savings.
	The report has been placed in the Library and is available at:
	www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp2336.pdf.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funding she plans to allocate to Luton and Dunstable hospital in relation to increased patients arising from Hemel Hempstead hospital's (a) closure and  (b) reduction of services.

Andy Burnham: Revenue allocations are made to primary care trusts (PCTs) not hospitals. It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations.

Matrons

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many matrons have been employed in the NHS in each year since 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The pay grade "matron" has been obsolete for over 30 years as the number of nurse managers have been recorded in the NHS census with general and senior managers.

Medical Devices Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) fatal accidents and  (b) adverse incident reports to the Medical Devices Agency there were in each year since 1997; what the most common causes were of these incidents; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The information on total numbers of reported medical device related adverse incidents and reported incidents involving fatality is shown in table one.
	
		
			  Table 1: Medical device related adverse incident reports 
			   Total  Reports involving a fatality 
			 1997 5,383 47 
			 1998 6,298 79 
			 1999 6,610 87 
			 2000 7,249 92 
			 2001 7,896 141 
			 2002 8,756 175 
			 2003 8,795 166 
			 2004 8,840 179 
			 2005 7,862 222 
		
	
	For summary information and reporting purposes, the Medical Healthcare products Regulatory Agency now groups the causes of medical device related adverse incidents into three categories:
	Manufacturer responsibility; where the failure cause occurs before delivery, for example design, manufacture, quality control and packaging;
	Healthcare establishment/user responsibility; where the failure cause occurs after delivery, for example performance and/or maintenance failures and degradation or where the device has not been used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for use, that is user error;
	No established device/use link; where the device was subsequently found to work as intended, the device involved was not available for investigation, or the report was made on a precautionary basis.
	The percentage of incidents falling into each of these categories from incident investigations concluded in 2005 is shown in table two.
	
		
			  Table 2: Concluded medical device related adverse incident investigations, 2005 
			  Cause of incident  Percentage reported incidents involving a fatality (numbe  = 164) 
			 Manufacturer responsibility 9 
			 Healthcare establishment/user responsibility 47 
			 No established device/use link 44

Medical Redundancies

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) compulsory and  (b) voluntary redundancies have been made by (i) Barnet primary care trust, (ii) Barnet and Chase Farm NHS trust, (iii) Barnet hospital, (iv) Royal Free NHS trust and (v) Northwick Park hospital since 1 April; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 2 November 2006
	The information collected from strategic health authorities shows that as at 30 September 2006 no redundancies have been made at Barnet primary care trust, Barnet and Chase Farm national health service trust or Royal Free NHS trust. Barnet hospital is part of the Barnet and Chase Farm NHS trust. Northwick Park hospital is part of the North West London NHS hospital trust and as at 30 September 2006, there were 33 redundancies at the trust. Separate information is not available in respect of Northwick Park hospital.

Medical Research and Development

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the combined budget was for medical research and research and development within the NHS in  (a) 2004-05 and  (b) 2005-06; and what the budget will be in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Medical Research Council( 1)  (MRC)  NHS research and development 
			 2004-05 458 601 
			 2005-06 481 617 
			 2006-07 504 659 
			 (1 )The MRC is the main agency through which the Government support biomedical research. The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Innovation. 
		
	
	The Department's research and development budget for 2007-08 has not yet been set.

Medicine Re-packaging

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the re-packaging of medicines for parallel trade; and what assessmentshe has made of the effect of re-packaging on the (a) quality and  (b) integrity of the product.

Andy Burnham: The majority of parallel imported medicines are marketed in the original packaging which has been over-labelled in accordance with the Medicines Labelling Regulations. In the cases where re-packaging occurs, the primary packaging which is in contact with the drug product and which is primarily responsible for maintaining the quality and integrity of the drug product, is not modified in any way, thus the original quality and integrity of the product are maintained. Any re-packaging and re-labelling proposed by a parallel importer must be assessed as satisfactory by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for a parallel import licence to be granted. Each batch of product must be released by a qualified person. The MHRA has systems in place to receive and investigate reports of packaging and labelling problems with medicines, including parallel traded products.

Mental Health

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the role of social enterprise models in the provision of mental health care and services; and what discussions the Department has had with the King's Fund on social enterprise.

Ivan Lewis: The White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" set out our aims for more responsive, patient and user-focused care; and identified that social enterprises have a potential role to play in delivering this.
	To date, we have not made any specific assessment of the role of social enterprise models in the provision of mental health care. However, we will be identifying pathfinder social enterprises in early 2007. The learning from pathfinders will inform best practice, and will help to assess the role social enterprises can play in delivering a range of different health and social care services.
	The social enterprise unit in the Department has had informal discussions with the King's Fund on social enterprise.

Mental Health

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to support mental health services in Hertfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: It is for primary care trusts in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services, including mental health.

Mental Health

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received from the Humber mental health teaching NHS trust on the proposed closure of Rivers Ward mental health in-patient unit in Goole.

Ivan Lewis: No representations have been received from the Humber mental health teaching national health service trust on the proposed closure of Rivers Ward.

Mental Health

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on the Avon and Wiltshire mental health partnership's Moving On Arts project; and what funding has been made available to the project by NHS Estates.

Rosie Winterton: The Moving On Arts project is being undertaken by the Avon and Wiltshire mental health partnership national health service trust as part of the modernisation of mental health services. £629,200 has been committed from a variety of sources, including private finance initiative site partners and charitable funds, to create the best possible healthcare environment as well as providing opportunities for services users to take part in creative activity as part of their therapy.
	There is a wealth of research evidence to show the positive impact that the environment can have on health and healing. Taking part in the creative process itself is therapeutic in itself, particularly for patients with mental health needs, as it provides a non-verbal means of expressing feelings, aiding relaxation and building self-confidence. Schools, artists and other members of the local community have designed and created some of the artwork and this has fostered a better understanding and knowledge of mental health issues. The resulting artwork plays an important part in creating a healing and comforting environment, which will help mental health users.
	Evaluation is a key part in determining the effectiveness and value for money of any good project and a research project is therefore being undertaken to evaluate the impact of arts on the health, well-being and the morale of mental health service users and staff and provide examples of good practice to the remainder of the NHS. This evaluation project is being funded by the former NHS Estates Agency, which is now part of the Department, with the University of the West of England over two years at a cost of £107,709.

Mesothelioma

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what most recent advice she has received from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the prescribing of Alimta pemetrexed for mesothelioma patients.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has not yet issued guidance to the national health service on the clinical and cost effectiveness of pemetrexed disodium (Alimta) for mesothelioma. The Department of Health received NICE's final appraisal determination (FAD) on 26 June 2006 along with other registered stakeholders. I understand that NICE expects to publish its final guidance later this year, subject to the outcome of ongoing appeals against the FAD.

Mesothelioma

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed in each strategic health authority area in England in each of the last 10 years.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 7 November 2006:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many cases of mesothelioma have been diagnosed in each strategic health authority area in England in each of the last 10 years. (98859)
	The latest available figures for newly diagnosed cases of cancer (incidence) are for the year 2004. Numbers of cases of mesothelioma for the years 1995 to 2004 by strategic health authority (SHA) are given in the attached table.
	
		
			  Number of newly diagnosed cases of mesothelioma( 1)  by SHA, 1995 to 2004 
			  SHA  1995  1996  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 62 62 75 62 73 67 82 104 116 84 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 36 23 33 47 35 40 51 48 50 42 
			 Essex 46 41 46 65 57 77 78 87 88 60 
			 North West London 26 29 31 25 48 28 37 26 32 42 
			 North Central London 9 17 27 23 17 28 19 23 24 26 
			 North East London 44 41 47 44 43 73 59 54 61 57 
			 South East London 39 31 33 47 47 45 39 42 54 60 
			 South West London 27 18 20 25 31 31 26 47 27 26 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 73 99 73 90 88 99 93 84 77 97 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 40 39 37 31 38 48 52 55 44 54 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 41 39 30 50 65 44 48 63 58 52 
			 West Yorkshire 67 82 63 79 79 73 95 83 97 81 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 49 42 55 70 59 75 92 68 73 80 
			 Greater Manchester 48 48 65 82 62 48 75 72 84 82 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 73 58 83 69 93 80 108 102 88 110 
			 Thames Valley 50 42 55 56 56 58 52 55 48 72 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 49 70 66 82 89 85 108 115 80 96 
			 Kent and Medway 58 35 47 46 63 76 86 85 75 74 
			 Surrey and Sussex 60 57 51 62 82 94 92 80 126 114 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 39 37 48 69 56 60 61 85 77 97 
			 South West Peninsula 35 41 60 70 69 59 87 68 85 84 
			 Somerset and Dorset 20 19 30 42 46 37 46 31 45 45 
			 South Yorkshire 17 18 22 24 43 37 39 51 40 37 
			 Trent 56 47 52 78 61 77 92 89 70 70 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 21 22 37 31 41 44 33 38 45 47 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 19 26 28 26 27 40 41 35 34 43 
			 Birmingham and the Black Country 41 47 42 47 54 57 64 46 62 53 
			 West Midlands South 29 20 28 33 37 30 38 44 36 49 
			 England 1,174 1,150 1,284 1,475 1,559 1,610 1,793 1,780 1,796 1,834 
			 (1) Mesothelioma is defined as code C45 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD 10).  Source:  Office for National Statistics.

Mesothelioma

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS of allowing the use of Alimta across England for the treatment of mesothelioma;
	(2)  which primary care trusts in England provide Alimta for the treatment of people with mesothelioma.

Rosie Winterton: We have made no estimateof the cost to the national health service of the use of Alimta on a nationwide basis in the treatment of mesothelioma.
	Draft guidance being produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimates that the average cost of treatment with Alimta for mesothelioma is around £8,000 per patient. NICE also estimated that around 1,700 people in the United Kingdom are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year although not all of these would be suitable for treatment and/or choose to be treated with chemotherapy.
	The Department does not collect data on which primary care trusts in England provide particular treatments for particular conditions.

Milk Tokens

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of time taken was for the token distribution unit to issue milk tokens to a claimant once information of a claimant's eligibility was received from HM Revenue and Customs in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: The average length of time taken for the token distribution unit to issue milk tokens to a claimant once information of their eligibility is received from HM Revenue and Customs is 10 working days.
	Information is provided by HM Revenue and Customs to the token distribution unit every four weeks and subsequently milk tokens are issued in the week prior to the start of their validity period.

Minimum Wage

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many employees in  (a) her Department and  (b) related agencies and non-departmental public bodies were affected by the increase in the minimum wage on 1 October 2006.

Ivan Lewis: The Department and its related agencies and non-departmental public bodies pay above the minimum wage, therefore, no employees were affected by the rise on 1 October 2006.

Ministerial Meetings

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings the Labour party chairman and Minister without portfolio has attended in her Department in relation to the closure or reduction of NHS services in the last 12 months.

Patricia Hewitt: The Labour Party chairman has not attended any meetings relating to the closure or reduction of national health service services with me, or any other Ministers or officials from the Department for Health in the last 12 months. The Labour party chairman often meets with Cabinet colleagues to discuss various issues.

Ministerial Visits

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS establishments in Wantage constituency Ministers in her Department have visited in the last12 months.

Ivan Lewis: The Department's Ministers have not visited or received an invitation to visit any national health service establishments in Wantage the last 12 months.

Modernising Medical Careers

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many junior doctor training posts are planned under the Modernising Medical Careers scheme, broken down by specialty; whether trainee doctors will be able to obtain a specialty of his or her choice; what arrangements have been made for the selection and interview programme; and whether a new IT system has been developed for this selection process.

Rosie Winterton: The provisional number of training places in England projected by the postgraduate deans to be available next year is slightly in excess of 30,000. This includes about 11,500 places in foundation programmes, 15,500 places in specialty training programmes and a further 3,300 places in fixed-term specialty training appointments.
	These figures are indicative and are still subject to further discussions with postgraduate deans, medical Royal colleges and the national health service and will be refined later in the year. Work on the distribution across individual specialties is now under way and the outcome will be published when the figures are confirmed. Foundation programmes are not specialty specific.
	The number of training places in each training programme is planned over time to provide the number of specialists and general practitioners necessary to deliver patient care. Entry to training programmes will be by competition. Each applicant will be able to make up to four applications and can therefore choose to compete for both specialties and locations.
	Selection and recruitment will be managed by postgraduate deans according to person specifications developed for each specialty. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed by expert panels comprising specialists in the field and service representatives. This process will be supported by the medical training appointment service, a United Kingdom wide web-based system designed to support the efficienthandling of applications. This new system goes live on 25 October this year for the handling of foundation programme applications and January 2007 for the start of specialty recruitment.

Monitor

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to extend the financial role of the foundation trusts regulator, Monitor, in agreeing NHS trust hospitals' capital and revenue budgets for 2007 to 2010.

Ivan Lewis: The powers of Monitor, the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of National Health Service Foundation Trusts, are set out in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. There are no plans to extend Monitor's powers.

MRI Scanner (Bedford)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Eastern Region strategic health authority will approve funding for the installation of the replacement MRI scanner at Bedford hospital.

Andy Burnham: Departmental officials have advised that national health service East of England is currently awaiting a business case from the trust for a replacement MRI scanner; on approval of the business case the strategic health authority, will release capital funds for the installation of the scanner. It is the responsibility of the trust to fund the staffing and running of the service.

Multiple Sclerosis Nurses

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many multiple sclerosis specialist nurses there are in  (a) Hull and East Yorkshire hospitals and  (b) England; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.
	The annual work force census does not separately record multiple sclerosis nurses from the rest of the nursing work force.

Multi-professional Education Levy Budget

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the multi-professional education levy budget was in each strategic health authority in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: The multi-professional education levy budget allocation to each strategic health authority (SHA) for each of the last three years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Multi professional education and training allocations by SHA 
			  £000 
			  SHA  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 127,133 139,580 (1)147,469 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 63,336 69,070 73,443 
			 Birmingham and Black Country 185,641 198,876 204,396 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 162,744 177,121 180,582 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley 50,617 57,511 59,672 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire 84,449 92,100 93,466 
			 Dorset and Somerset 43,496 46,971 47,563 
			 Essex 61,288 66,711 73,457 
			 Greater Manchester 194,776 215,247 225,463 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 109,131 124,828 132,287 
			 Kent and Medway 57,175 66,956 72,193 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 105,272 114,178 106,057 
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 125,830 134,598 144,190 
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 67,455 73,222 77,873 
			 North Central London 195,814 206,788 219,256 
			 North East London 166,379 174,578 175,442 
			 North West London 185,787 194,520 193,140 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 127,178 139,313 139,854 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire 61,271 66,973 66,452 
			 South East London 183,425 192,122 190,038 
			 South West London 113,947 121,130 120,426 
			 South West Peninsula 76,543 95,418 104,361 
			 South Yorkshire 102,238 185,604 (2)195,573 
			 Surrey and Sussex 105,173 123,470 129,263 
			 Thames Valley 112,869 120,849 124,495 
			 Trent 145,290 163,835 170,475 
			 West Midlands South 59,497 64,774 80,062 
			 West Yorkshire 152,167 171,983 178,503 
			 Total 3,225,921 3,598,326 3,725,449 
			 (1) AGW allocation excludes £8,800,000 for skills for health budget. (2) South Yorkshire allocation excludes £32,100,000 for electronic staff record project  Note: Allocations are not directly comparable due to the composition of the budget in each year.

Muslim Council of Britain

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much  (a) financial support and  (b) support in kind her Department and its agencies have given to the Muslim Council of Britain each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: To date no financial support has been given to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
	Since 1997, the Department has on occasion met with MCB to discuss the health of Muslim communities. This has not involved direct funding of MCB or the provision of any support in kind.

National Patient Safety Agency

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the public purse has been of the National Patient Safety Agency in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Building a safer NHS for patients committed the Department to developing and investing in structures and organisations which would lead to promote patient safety in the national health service. The National Patient Safety Agency was central to the Department's efforts. It has received the following amounts in Government funding:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2001-02 1,763,000 
			 2002-03 12,120,000 
			 2003-04 17,552,000 
			 2004-05 17,108,000 
			 2005-06 35,154,000 
			 2006-07 32,925,000 
		
	
	Following the arm's length body review, the NPSA took on additional responsibilities in 2005. These were the National Clinical Assessment Service, the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees, the three national confidential inquiries and aspects of nutrition, cleaning and design.

National Patient Safety Agency

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she uses to establish the  (a) efficacy and  (b) value for money of the National Patient Safety Agency; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: As a public body, the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is accountable for the proper use of its public funds and is obliged to operate under government accounting rules to ensure propriety, regularity and value for money. The Department's monitoring and accountability framework is the means through which all its arms length bodies including the NPSA must demonstrate how they intend to maximise their contribution to the health and social care agenda as well as value for money.
	It is the responsibility of the senior departmental sponsor (SDS) in the Department to ensure that the NPSA is operating within these parameters.
	As with all arm's length bodies, the NPSA must produce a strategic plan and an annual business plan. This is the primary vehicle through which the NPSA sets out how it will discharge its functions as directed by the Secretary of State. There are regular performance reviews against the business plan. In addition, the NPSA have an annual accountability review meeting with Ministers.

National Programme for Information Technology

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2137W, on the National Programme for Information Technology, which NHS organisations are subject to cluster areas underpinned by a financial liability for failure to source sufficient numbers of staff with the necessary expertise; which NHS organisations have been deemed liable for such failure since the start of the National Programme for Information Technology; and what the value of the financial liability was for each NHS organisation in each case.

Ivan Lewis: The original obligations to provide resources (managed authority employees) from the national health service to support the local service providers existed in the north-west/west midlands cluster and the southern cluster.
	In the north-west/west midlands cluster, the liability was £4.7 million distributed across the strategic health authorities (SHAs) on a weighted capitation basis.
	In the southern cluster, the liability was £19 million again distributed across the SHAs on a weighted capitation basis.
	In both cases, the obligation has since been removed in agreement with the local service providers.
	In the remaining clusters, there has been no obligation to provide such resources.

Netcare

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on the health sector in Lancashire of the award of the capture, assess, treat and support contract to Netcare.

Ivan Lewis: No contract has been awarded to Netcare on the capture, assess, treat and support (CATS) scheme in Lancashire. It is still under negotiation with Netcare as the preferred bidder in the negotiation.
	The CATS scheme will improve local community access to healthcare services, in line with the White Paper "Our Health, Our Care, Our Say" in January which signalled our intention to bring services closer to patients.
	There is a robust process to ensure there is both local support and a capacity need for such schemes, and to reduce the risk that a scheme will destabilise existing service providers. The North West strategic health authority is working closely with the local acute trusts to ensure that the positive impacts of the scheme for the whole local health economy are fully delivered.

Netcare

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were employed by Netcare on work contracted with the NHS in the last 12 months for which figures are available, broken down by NHS region.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held centrally. Figures for whole-time equivalents (WTE) employed by Netcare in relation to centrally procured healthcare services for NHS patients are shown as follows.
	 Mobile ophthalmology service
	10.0 WTE doctors
	24.0 WTE nurses
	 Greater Manchester Surgi Centre
	20.0 WTE doctors
	71.0 WTE nurses
	7.0 WTE allied health professionals
	Staff are employed in accordance with the policy of additionality which conserves national health service clinical skills and encourages the independent sector to increase its capacity to help meet NHS access and waiting times targets.

Netcare

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the contract for Netcare services in Cumbria and Lancashire will be signed; and what specialisms are included in the contract.

Ivan Lewis: The specialties in the Cumbria and Lancashire clinical assessment and treatment service scheme include ear, nose and throat, general surgery, orthopaedics and rheumatology and minor treatment room treatments' with an option for urology and gynaecology specialties.
	Negotiations are continuing with Netcare to ensure the provision of a high quality service that is easily accessible for patients. It is expected that they will be concluded later this year.

Neurotin Gabapentin

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on neurotin gabapentin in the latest year for which figures are available; what assessment has been made of the drug's value for money compared with other treatments; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: In the financial year 2005-06, the value of the drugs dispensed in primary care in England was £1,742,134 for branded Neurotin and £63,542,027 for generic gabapentin.
	The use of gabapentin for the treatment of epilepsy was considered as part of two National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) appraisals in 2004—"Epilepsy (adults)—newer drugs and Epilepsy (children)—newer drugs". In both appraisals NICE recommended that gabapentin and other relatively recent drugs for epilepsy be considered for use when other epilepsy drugs on their own do not stop seizures. Information on both these appraisals can be found on NICE's website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=TA76 and www.nice.org.uk/paqe.aspx?o=TA79.

NHS (Hertfordshire)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will examine the efficiency of the regional and strategic administration of the NHS in Hertfordshire over the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: There are no immediate plans for Secretary of State or departmental officials to examine the efficiency of the regional and strategic administration of the national health service in Hertfordshire.

NHS (Litigation)

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid out by the NHS litigation authority for each hospital trust in Greater Manchester in each of the last three years.

Andy Burnham: The requested information on how much was paid out by the NHS litigation authority for each hospital trust in Greater Manchester in each of the last three years is shown in the following table.
	Payments made during the last three financial years for hospital trusts in Greater Manchester.
	
		
			  Trust  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Bolton Hospitals National Health Service Trust 1,405,371 2,192,066 2,316,956 
			 Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust 57,031 217,640 20,119 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 1,497,440 4,649,144 4,160,751 
			 Christie Hospital NHS Trust 163,622 758,461 122,975 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust 5,545 28,414 38,126 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 5,232,415 4,210,826 6,170,974 
			 Pennine Care NHS Trust 125,059 91,812 73,521 
			 Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust 1,315,741 2,168,935 1,759,870 
			 South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust 1,325,448 885,208 1,072,726 
			 Stockport NHS Foundation Trust 791,994 774,522 652,936 
			 Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust 1,676,163 1,032,105 1,123,744 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 408,781 417,866 493,285 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 1,578,514 -175,141 1,488,903 
			  Note: Negative figure can occur when refunds are received from previous payments made into court

NHS (Litigation)

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints were made about services at each hospital in Greater Manchester in each of the last three years; and how many such cases went to litigation.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect data on complaints for individual hospitals and has no information about the number of cases that have progressed from being complaints to claims for negligence. The Information Centre for Health and Social Care only collects data on written complaints, by hospital trusts. The following table shows the number of written complaints made about services at each hospital trust in Greater Manchester in each of the last three years.
	
		
			  Written complaints about hospital and community services by trust within Greater Manchester 
			  Trusts within Greater Manchester  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Christie Hospital National Health Service Trust 123 109 102 
			 South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust 412 388 266 
			 Salford Hospitals NHS Trust 519 523 434 
			 Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust 221 169 146 
			 Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust 332 319 236 
			 Mental Health Services of Salford NHS Trust 103 — — 
			 Tameside and Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust 388 318 334 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 411 403 410 
			 Pennine Care NHS Trust 131 216 205 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust 940 636 664 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 892 861 719 
			 Stockport NHS Trust 325 340 325 
			 Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust — 81 81

NHS Business Service Authority

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingencies there are for national emergencies within the contract for supply chain logistics due to be managed by the Supply Chain Management Division within the NHS Business Services Authority.

Andy Burnham: In the event of an incident, such as a national emergency, the contract or master services agreement (MSA) allows the retained organisation (the supply chain management division of the NHS Business Services Authority) to direct the resources of Exel Europe (DHL) that are used to provide the contracted services to respond to the incident.
	Further information is available in the MSA, Clause 28 and the definition of an 'Incident' on page 149. The MSA is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/FreedomOfInformation/EreadingRoom/EreadingRoomArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4140043&chk=/U%2B/%2BC
	Exel Europe (DHL) will work closely with the NHS Business Services Authority emergency planning team to ensure that contingency plans are kept up to date.

NHS Clinical Services

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of NHS clinical services was in  (a) 1995 and  (b) 2005.

Andy Burnham: Information on costs of clinical services in the national health service is not separately identified as part of the annual reference costs collection.

NHS Employment

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many jobs there are in the NHS in  (a) Redbridge and  (b) Waltham Forest; and how many there were in October 1997.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not available in the format requested.

NHS Finance

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the potential effect on local authorities' social services departments of the financial deficits of NHS trusts.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on local authorities' social services department of the financial deficits of NHS trusts.

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely effect on local authorities' social services departments of the financial deficits of NHS trusts.

Ivan Lewis: The Department allocates funding to local authorities for adult social care without reference to the financial position of the national health service.
	NHS and local authority social services have a duty to work in partnership to provide services which meet the health and social care needs of their local population. The NHS has a legal responsibility to provide healthcare and nursing care.
	It is essential that the NHS and social services work together locally, in collaboration with other partners, and with individuals and their representatives, to deliver services in a joined-up way, tailored (wherever possible) to the needs of the individual. For example, local area agreements have proved valuable in improving the efficiency and targeting of resources, developing new ways of working and agreeing a joint approach with a range of local partners to address local issues.

NHS Foundation Trusts

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of governors' positions are vacant on each foundation NHS trust.

Ivan Lewis: Information relating to the governing bodies of individual national health service foundation trusts can be obtained by contacting the chairmen of the respective trusts. This information is not held by the Department or Monitor (the statutory name for which is the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts).

NHS Injury Benefit Scheme

Malcolm Rifkind: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether an allowance payable under the terms of the NHS Injury Benefit Scheme to a general practitioner whose sole emoluments are in the form of fees should be calculated in accordance with regulation 2(1) of the NHS Injury Benefit Regulations.

Rosie Winterton: Yes. Regulation 2 (1) of the NHS Injury Benefits Regulations 1995 (amended) deals with interpretation and explains for the purpose of the regulations what "emoluments" means.

NHS Logistics Authority

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2145W, on the NHS Logistics Authority, if she will publish the findings of the 2003 procurement and supply chain review undertaken by her Commercial Directorate.

Andy Burnham: The findings of the review were that:
	outsourcing NHS Logistics Authority (NHSLA) and consumables procurement is the course of action most likely to satisfy the requirements of the national health service and of the Department;
	partnering with the private sector, by outsourcing, is not expected to compromise broader supply chain initiatives which are being considered, such as collaborative buying;
	the outsourcing and development of information technology, as part of the model, can be considered to be part of the outsourcing solutions;
	further validation will be required, in the form of market testing to confirm that this is the most appropriate course of action; and
	market testing should confirm market appetite for a transaction involving the outsourcing of NHSLA and consumables procurement as a single entity or as separate entities.

NHS Salaries

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the NHS spent on the salaries of administrative staff in  (a) 1995 and  (b) 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the total expenditure on administrative staff by national health service bodies in England in 1994-95 and 2004-05 in cash and real terms and the figures as a percentage of total NHS expenditure:
	
		
			  NHS (England) expenditure on administrative staff 
			   1994-95  2004-05 
			 Cash (£ million) 1,637 3,412 
			 Real terms (£ million at 2004-05 prices) 2,106 3,412 
			 Expenditure on administrative staff as a percentage of total NHS expenditure 5.35 4.89 
			  Notes: 1. 2004-05 data do not include information relating to NHS foundation trusts. 2. Figures are the administrative and clerical staff costs reported in annual financial returns.  Sources: 1. Financial returns of health authorities, strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and NHS trusts. 2. HM Treasury GDP deflator.

NHS Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the names and periods of office of those responsible as chairmen and chief executives for the regional and strategic administration of the NHS in Hertfordshire over the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: The appointment of nationalhealth service trusts chairs has been delegated to the Appointments Commission. I have asked the Appointment Commission's chair, Sir William Wells, to respond to the hon. Member's specific questions.

NHS Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent assessment she has made of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire NHS "Investing in Your Health" programme; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had in 2006 with (i) Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust and (ii) East and North Herts NHS Trust on the review of "Investing in Your Health".

Andy Burnham: I have not met with Hertfordshire primary care trust (PCT) or North Hertfordshire national health service trust on the review of "Investing in Your Health" and I am not aware of any meetings that have taken place involving Departmental officials.
	The East of England Strategic Health Authority is beginning a review of acute services across its area including "Investing In Your Health".
	The objective of the review will be to agree a new pattern of hospital services for the region that will meet the demands of 21st century healthcare and be financially sustainable. The initial phase of the review is a technical analysis of how these issues are affecting hospitals in the region.
	Hertfordshire PCT is leading the review of the strategy for "Investing In Your Health" for Hertfordshire looking at operational and affordability assumptions to ensure these are clinically and financially sustainable. This will be completed over the next month and once this is done a structured process will be established, including discussion with our many stakeholders, to prepare detailed service proposals for consultation. This next phase should be completed early in 2007.

NHS Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had in 2006 with (i) East of England strategic health authority, (ii) Hertfordshire primary care trust and (iii) East and North Herts NHS trust on the future of Royston hospital.

Andy Burnham: I am not aware of any meetings having taken place with Ministers or departmental officials as to the future of Royston and district hospital during 2006.

NHS Services

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the sterile supplies service to hospitals and general practitioners in North East Hertfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: There is currently a collaboration established in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire to outsource the sterilisation of their surgical instruments, as part of the national decontamination joint venture programme established by the Department.
	This contract is currently in the early stages of the tendering process and will deliver an off site super-centre within the geographical location to service a number of trusts.
	The trust currently operates a sterilisation department in-house.

NHS Services

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the transfer of  (a) departmental and  (b) NHS staff to the private or independent sectors counts towards the Department's Gershon review targets; and how many such transfers have been made.

Ivan Lewis: The transfer of departmental and national health service staff to the private or independent sectors does not count towards the Department's Gershon review targets.
	As of the end of June 2006, 50 such transfers had been made—seven to the private sector, one to a university and 42 to a charitable organisation.

NHS Staff

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the use of  (a) the niqab,  (b) the chador and  (c) the burka by NHS staff; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not have a policy on the use of the niqab, the chador and the burka by national health service staff. NHS Employers is currently developing guidance for the NHS on dress codes and religion or belief. This guidance will provide those who have to make the necessary decision, along with those affected, with information and direction to deal with situations where dress codes, uniforms, religious considerations together with health and safety come together. This will be launched in early 2007. The guide will build on the guidance on this issue included in the Commission for Racial Equality's employment code of practice and Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service's "Guide for Employers and Employees on Religion or Belief and the Workplace".

NHS Staff

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by Suffolk West primary care trust on salaries and wages for  (a) general and senior managers,  (b) nurses and midwives and  (c) administrative and clerical staff in each of the last five financial years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the format requested. However, the table shows staff cost expenditure which includes employers' national insurance contributions, employers' pension contributions and other pension costs. This has been supplied because the Department does not hold data just on salaries and wages centrally, for the period 2002-03 and 2004-05, as Suffolk West primary care trust (PCT) was not established before then.
	
		
			  Suffolk West PCT 
			   2004-05  2003-04  2002-03 
			 Total senior managers and managers 1,661,000 1,199,884 801,417 
			 Nursing, midwifery and health visiting 5,272,000 4,596,315 4,417,034 
			 Administrative and clerical 1,648,000 1,293,662 1,119,723 
			  Source: Annual financial returns for PCTs

NHS Trust Property Sales

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued on the sale of property by NHS trusts.

Andy Burnham: Guidance on the disposal of surplus national health service land and buildings is provided in the Department's publication, "Estatecode—essential guidance on estates and facilities management".
	When the selling organisation is an NHS foundation trust, the ability to dispose of assets is covered bythe "Protection of Assets—Guidance for NHSFTs" published by the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts.

NICE

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the case for reviewing the remit and scope of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence investigations to ensure that they are able adequately to access the wider benefits of treatments to society, across health and social care and to carers and families.

Andy Burnham: The Department has received16 letters regarding the remit and scope of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), linked to NICE'S appraisal of drugs for Alzheimer's disease. Information for other representations regarding the remit and scope of NICE could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

NICE

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monitoring she undertakes of the extent to which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence takes note of all responses received through a technology appraisal consultation process; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence publishes details of responses to each appraisal consultation document on its website, along with a summary of the appraisal committees consideration of comments received.

NICE

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is required to take into account the availability of alternative treatment when publishing technology appraisal guidance that  (a) limits and  (b) does not enable prescription of a treatment on the NHS; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)'s technology appraisal methodology involves an assessment of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an intervention compared with alternative treatment options. Full information on NICE's appraisal methodology is published on its website at www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=82117.

NICE

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she issues to clinicians about compliance with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence when there are no licensed treatments available for treatment of their patients; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is not responsible for the licensing of pharmaceutical products. It provides advice to the national health service on the clinicaland cost-effectiveness of specific technologies or interventions, including both drugs and devices.
	The Department has issued guidance to the NHS in the form of Health Service Circular 1999/176 which sets out the action local NHS organisations should take in reaching decisions on the use of particular technologies, including new drugs, where NICE has not yet issued guidance. The Department's guidance on this issue is under review and updated guidance will be published later in the year.

NICE

Desmond Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether intervention guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is mandatory.

Andy Burnham: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence interventional procedures guidance is incorporated into the core safety standards. Guidance to the national health service was published in Health Service Circular 2003/011 which is available in the Library.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been received by the health service from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in the last two years.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The Energy Act 2004 provides for the NDA to give encouragement and other support to activities that benefit the social or economic lives of communities near their sites. In furtherance of this, the NDA have agreed to provide £18 million over three years to assist in providing gap funding for community hospitals in West Cumbria while plans for a new acute hospital in the area are developed. In the financial year 2005-06, £4 million was provided with two further payments of £7 million committed for 2006-07 and 2007-08. This is set out in the NDA's Annual Report and Accounts 2005-06 which is available on the NDA's website at www.nda.gov.uk.

Nurse and Physiotherapy Training

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely effect of cuts in the multi-professional education and training levy for the South Central strategic health authority on the training of  (a) nurses and  (b) physiotherapists.

Rosie Winterton: Decisions on training commissions are for local determination by the strategic health authorities (SHA) and are based on service need. SHAs will be keeping a close watch to ensure there is a sufficient supply of nurses and physiotherapists to meet the needs of local communities.

Nurses

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of maternity pay awarded to nurses who work in hospices; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The terms and conditions of hospice staff are a matter for the individual employing organisations. However, many reflect national health service provisions. Current NHS provisions are published in the agenda for change terms and conditions handbook, maintained by NHS Employers and is available on their website.

Nursing Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the likely impact of the Government's 10 year strategy for funding nursing education on the number of places available; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The national health service plan target for 5,500 more nurses and midwives being trained each year by 2004 over a 1999 baseline has been achieved. In 2005-06, there were 24,789 nursing and midwifery training places, an increase of 6,082(32.5 per cent.) since the NHS plan baseline. Decisions on training commissions are for local determination by the strategic health authorities and are based on service need.

Organ Transplants

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the budget for publicising organ donation was in 2005-06.

Rosie Winterton: Responsibility for promoting organ donation and encouraging people to join the national health service organ donor register was given to UK Transplant (now NHS Blood and Transplant) from April 2003 by the Department. The budget allocated to UK Transplant for publicising organ donation in 2005-06 was £827,000. In addition, the Department provides section 64 grants to a number of charitable organisations to carry out specific organ donation awareness-based projects.

Organ Transplants

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many organ transplant operations were carried out on private patients in NHS hospitals in the last three years;
	(2)  how many organ transplant operations were carried out in non-NHS hospitals in the last three years; and how many were carried out in NHS hospitals.

Rosie Winterton: Table 1 shows the number of transplants performed in non-national health service hospitals in the last three financial years 2003 to 2006.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  Financial year  Transplant operations 
			 2003-04 2 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 3 
			 Total 5 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the breakdown by group one (NHS entitled) and group two (non NHS entitled) of transplants performed at NHS hospitals in the last three financial years 2003 to 2006.
	
		
			  Table 2 
			  Financial year  Group 1 (NHS entitled)  Group 2 (non NHS entitled)  Total 
			 2003-04 2,802 63 2,865 
			 2004-05 2,689 35 2,724 
			 2005-06 2,765 27 2,792 
			 Total 8,256 125 8,381

Palliative Care

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to introduce the payment by results scheme for specialist palliative care services provided on behalf of the NHS by adult independent voluntary and charitable hospices.

Ivan Lewis: There is currently no timetable for extending the scope of payment by results to specialist palliative care, whether provided by national health service organisations or independent, voluntary and charitable hospices.
	Funding for services outside the scope of payment by results continues to be agreed locally with NHS commissioners.

Palliative Care

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she  (a) has issued during 2006 and  (b) plans to issue during the next 12 months to primary care trusts on the provision of palliative care services; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We have not issued any guidance to primary care trusts during 2006 on the provision of palliative care services. However, we have set out a clear direction for end of life care for all adult patients, irrespective of diagnosis, in the White Paper "Our health, our care, our say". Ministers have charged the National Cancer Director, with support from the National Director for Older People and the other national clinical directors, to develop an end of life care strategy. This will deliver increased choice to all patients about where they live and die, and provide them with the support to make this possible, regardless of their condition.

Palliative Care

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received since July on the Palliative Care for the Terminally Ill Bill; how many of these  (a) supported and  (b) opposed the Bill; how many and what percentage were submitted by (i) hon. Members, (ii) organisations and (iii) members of the public; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: In relation to the Palliative Care for the Terminally Ill Bill, which was withdrawn before its second reading, we have received one letter since July 2006. This was forwarded by an hon. Member on behalf of his constituent and, whilst it did not explicitly state a position, could be inferred as being supportive of the Bill.

Payment by Results

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects to announce the  (a) next steps,  (b) scope and  (c) unbundling relating to payment by results.

Andy Burnham: The national tariff and draft guidance on payment by results for 2007-08 were published for testing on 31 October 2006 and are due to be finalised before Christmas. The Department intends to publish proposals, for consultation, in the new year on the future of payment by results in 2008-09 and beyond.

Primary Care Trusts

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account is taken of underfunding of primary care trusts (PCT) in relation to the capitation formula under departmental guidance when PCT deficits are calculated.

Andy Burnham: Revenue allocations to primary care trusts (PCTs) are made on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each PCT's share of available funding so they can commission similar levels of health services for populations with similar need.
	Independent Government auditors agree with the Department's assessment that there is no single, simple cause of deficits, just as there are no single, simple solutions for eradicating them. More specifically, our analysis of the provisional outturn figures for 2005-06 shows that there is very little correlation between the size of deficits and any of the factors relating to funding, including allocations per head and allocation growth.

Primary Care Trusts

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will place in the Library a copy of each savings plan of those London primary care trusts that have such a plan in place;
	(2)  if she will place in the Library a copy of each  (a) turnaround and  (b) savings plan for those London teaching hospitals that have such a plan in place.

Andy Burnham: Strategic health authorities are responsible for the local management of the national health service, including the agreement and monitoring of savings or turnaround plans with the NHS organisations in their locality.

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the revenue allocations to each primary care trust are by  (a) weighted and  (b) unweighted head for (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; what current target allocations to each primary care trust are as given by the weighted capitation formula by (A) weighted head and (B) unweighted head.

Andy Burnham: The information requested has been placed in the Library. This shows allocations for the 303 primary care trusts (PCTs) to which the allocations were made. The number of PCTs reduced from 303 to 152 on 1 October 2006.

Pensions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the pension liabilities are in respectof former staff at  (a) Royal Sussex county hospital,  (b) Southlands hospital in West Sussex and  (c) Worthing hospital.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate she has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions in each public sector pension scheme for which her Department has responsibility; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Current employer contribution rates to the national health service pension scheme are 14 per cent. of pensionable payroll. Employer contributions for the year ending 31 March 2005, the last year that published accounts are available, were £3.881 billion.

Private Finance Initiative Hospitals

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what objectives have been set for the review of preferred private finance initiative hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The purpose of the process is to ensure that all schemes properly take account of the current reforms to the national health service such as choice, a movement of services into primary and community settings and the new financial regime. The review will ensure that only schemes that have clearly demonstrated their long-term affordability and sustainability are allowed to proceed.

Pfizer

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on the NHS of recent changes to wholesale arrangements involving drugs manufactured by Pfizer; what assessment she has made of the effect of the changes on the cost to the NHS of drugs manufactured by Pfizer; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: This is a commercial matter for Pfizer. Pfizer have assured the Department that it will make every effort to ensure that these new arrangements will not result in any disruptions in the supply of its United Kingdom-sourced branded medicines to national health service patients nor any increase in costs. The Department will monitor these new arrangements with a view to taking corrective action if appropriate.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to prevent the imposition of quotas by pharmaceutical manufacturers on the supply of medicines supplied to pharmaceutical wholesalers and retailers.

Andy Burnham: The way in which pharmaceutical manufacturers supply medicines to wholesalers and retailers is a commercial decision. The Department works closely with those in the supply chain to ensure that patients receive their medicines.

Physiotherapists

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained physiotherapists there are; how many are in training; how many are unemployed; and what assessment she has made of the longer-term prospects of employment for physiotherapists.

Rosie Winterton: There are 19,997 qualified physiotherapists in the national health service in England and approximately 6,489 students who have begun training to be a physiotherapist since 2003-04. The physiotherapy three-month vacancy rate was1.1 per cent. at 31 March 2006 compared with five per cent, in 2001.
	The department does not collect information on the number of physiotherapy graduates who have been unable to secure a post.
	Work force planning is the responsibility of local NHS employers and strategic health authorities, who need to ensure that there are sufficient numbers of physiotherapists to meet local service needs.
	The Department, jointly with NHS employers, wrote to all chief executives of strategic health authorities, NHS trusts and primary care trusts on 30 October 2006, encouraging NHS organisations to work together to manage work force change. The letter launched a new framework which outlines good practice and promotes local partnership working, across the health and social care sectors, for the benefit of displaced staff and new qualifiers leaving training. A copy of the letter and framework is available in the Library.

Physiotherapists

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the possible effect of addressing deficits in the NHS on recruitment of physiotherapist graduates.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 1 November 2006
	The recruitment of staff is the responsibility of local health organisations, which will ensure that there are sufficient numbers of physiotherapists to meet local service needs. The Department, jointly with NHS Employers, wrote to all chief executives of strategic health authorities, national health service trusts and primary care trusts on 30 October 2006, encouraging NHS organisations to work together to manage workforce change. The letter launched a new framework, which outlines good practice and promotes local partnership working, across the health and social care sectors, for the benefit of displaced staff and new qualifiers leaving training. A copy of the letter and framework has been placed in the Library.

Plagiocephaly

Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the development of moulding helmets and cranial banding for plagiocephaly.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not developing guidance on cranial banding for plagiocephaly.

Polling and Research

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent by  (a) the NHS and  (b) her Department on Ipsos MORI polling and research in the last six months.

Ivan Lewis: Over the past six months, from1 May to 31 October 2006, the Department has spent £110,800 on polling and research with Ipsos MORI.
	The Department does not collect figures centrally for national health service spending on polling and research.

Post-65 Health Services

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of total spending on hospital and community health services in England is accounted for by treatment of or provision of services to people aged over 65 years;
	(2)  what percentage of healthcare spending in  (a) England and  (b) Surrey is accounted for by treatment of or provision of services to people aged over 65 years;
	(3)  if she will adjust the weighted capitation model in order to reflect the healthcare needs of people aged over 65 years.

Andy Burnham: Approximately 43 per cent. of total hospital and community health services expenditure in England is accounted for by the treatment of or provision of services to people aged over 65 years.
	We do not have information on the percentage of healthcare spending in Surrey accounted for by those aged over 65 years as regional data is not collected centrally. This information would only be available locally. Contact details for local NHS organisations are available on the internet at the following address: www.nhs.uk.
	The weighted capitation formula includes adjustments for age related need. They are explained in "Resource allocation weighted capitation formula: fifth edition", which is available from the Library or at www.dh.gov.uk/allocations.

Pregnancy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take to encourage pregnant women to exercise regularly; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Keeping fit and healthy during pregnancy is important for the wellbeing of both mother and baby. The Department has issued advice on physical activity during pregnancy in The Pregnancy Book, which also recommends some exercises that pregnant women should try to fit into their daily routine. This book is given free to all women who are pregnant for the first time.

Pregnancy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on stress in pregnancy; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant in aid from the Office of Science and Innovation, part of the Department of Trade and Industry. Recent MRC funded research relating to stress in pregnancy includes:
	Dr. Veronica O'Keane, Institute of Psychiatry—Comparison of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in depressed and healthy pregnant women.
	The MRC has also funded a number of relevant cohort studies including:
	Professor G. Davey-Smith, University of Bristol—Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC): A reference population for genetic and environmental epidemiology;
	The Southampton Women's Survey maintained by the MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre; and,
	The Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development based at University College London.

Primary Care

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was to the public purse of the reconfiguration of primary care in Cambridgeshire up to 30 September; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The costs of the changes that were announced on 16 May will depend on a number of factors, including the location of new organisations being created, the number of people in the new organisations, and new pay ranges for very senior managers as well as changes in estate costs following reconfiguration.
	These arrangements are currently being worked up and discussed with trade unions and staff. Until those discussions have been concluded and the detail of new arrangements agreed it is not possible to confirm or accurately forecast costs.
	Commissioning a patient-led NHS is designed to deliver £250 million savings from administration costs through streamlining for reinvestment in frontline services. The savings are expected to be realised by the end of 2007 and then every year for reinvestment beginning in 2008-09.
	We have asked strategic health authorities to oversee the generation of the savings locally. Each SHA has a cost envelope that it should realise but it is for local determination to work out the best way of achieving these savings.

Primary Care

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the new primary care trust offices in Dereham, Norfolk, will be purchased via a private finance initiative.

Andy Burnham: This is a local matter. However, I understand that the newly formed Norwich primary care trust (PCT) accommodation will not be a private finance initiative. The new accommodation will be built by Breckland council and will be leased to the PCT.

Public Health (Control of Disease) Act

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to review the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.

Caroline Flint: "Getting Ahead of the Curve", the infectious disease strategy published by the Chief Medical Officer in January 2002, made clear our intention of reviewing the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. Our current priority is to implement the International Health Regulations 2005 in the United Kingdom.

Quality Outcomes Framework

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to link the quality and outcomes framework and implementation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance.

Caroline Flint: The Department is seeking to ensure that wherever possible National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance should underpin specific quality and outcomes framework (QOF) indicators and that there should be no contradiction between QOF and NICE guidance.
	NICE are working with NHS Employers (which negotiates changes to the QOF with the general practitioners committee of the British Medical Association) to map QOF indicators onto NICE guidance. This is to ensure that QOF indicators are compatible with NICE guidance and that any apparent differences arising from the different purposes of NICE guidance and QOF are explained.

Residential Care/Supported Living

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the process by which discretionary awards of personal expenses allowances are made to people in residential care by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Councils have discretion to vary the amount of the personal expenses allowance in special circumstances but no data is held centrally on the use of this discretion.

Residential Care/Supported Living

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of differences in income between people in  (a) residential care and  (b) supported living tenancies; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not made any assessment of the differences in income between people in residential care and supported living. There are no plans to undertake such an assessment.

Restaurant Inspections

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many restaurants and other food outlets were closed down for breach of food safety regulations in each year since 2002.

Caroline Flint: Two of the actions taken by local authorities to enforce food safety law will result directly in the closure of the food establishment concerned: emergency prohibition notices or orders, and voluntary closures. However, in a very few cases, the emergency prohibition notice may be issued against a specific piece of equipment, and the food establishment could continue to operate in other ways.
	The information for England is contained in the following table. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved administrations.
	
		
			   2002  2003  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Number of restaurants and other caterers subject to: 
			 Emergency prohibition notice/order 104 148 203 154 
			 Voluntary closure 196 242 267 299 
			  
			 Totals 300 390 470 453 
			  
			  Number of all food establishments subject to: 
			 Emergency prohibition notice/order 151 215 301 224 
			 Voluntary closure 262 303 328 385 
			  
			 Totals 413 518 629 609

School Nurses

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made against the commitment made in her Department's White Paper, Choosing Health, to ensure that every secondary school and cluster of primary schools will have one full-time qualified school nurse.

Rosie Winterton: The September 2005 work force census showed that there were 2,887 (1,913 full-time equivalent) qualified nurses working in the school nursing service in England, an increase of 478 (19.8 per cent.) since 2004.

Severance Packages

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of severance packages to the NHS was in each year since 1997-98 in  (a) real and  (b) nominal terms; and what estimate she has made of the total cost of severance packages to the NHS in 2006-07.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the cost of severance packages is not held centrally and no reliable estimate can be made of the total cost of severance packages in the national health service in 2006-07.

Staff Pay

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in how many years since 1997 the pay settlement forher Department's staff has been implemented later than 1 August; and when she expects to implement the 2006 settlement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has made every effort to implement the pay award on time on the 1 August. However, the culmination of an agreed pay award is dependant on a number of factors, which are outside the Department's control. As a result, the Department was only able to pay the award on time, once, in 1997 which was in the second year of a two-year pay deal.
	This year we are negotiating both a multi-year pay deal and introducing a new reward strategy. We started the process immediately after the 2005 pay negotiations with the trade unions, and are now coming to the end of our negotiations. We have now completed pay negotiations and hope to implement the award by the end of the year, subject to the outcome of the trade union ballot.

Stem Cell Research

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will bring forward legislation with similar provisions to the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cell Therapies Enhancement Act passed by the United States Senate in July; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government are committed to supporting all forms of stem cell research in the United Kingdom (UK) and have doubled their commitmentfor public sector spending on stem cell research to£100 million over the next two years.
	The current legislative framework for stem cell research in the UK has helped make this country a recognised international leader in the field. Any future legislation necessary in this area will be drafted with the objective of consolidating and enhancing the ability of scientists to develop new therapies.

Stem Cell Research

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her position is on EU level controls on stem cell research; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Control of stem cell research across the European Union is carried out at member state level in accordance with the laws of each individual state, a position which the Government support. The United Kingdom (UK) is a global leader in stem cell research. In order to maintain this lead, the Government have allocated an additional £50 million to this work, bringing total investment up to£100 millon, for stem cell research between 2006 to 2008. In addition, UK researchers may apply for EU (FP7) funding if the research meets the necessary criteria.

Sussex Health Professionals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time(i) doctors, (ii) nurses and (iii) other health professionals work at (A) the Royal Sussex county hospital, (B) Worthing hospital and (C) Southlands hospital in West Sussex.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is only held at trust-level. The following table contains the requested information for Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS trust and Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS trust.
	
		
			  Hospital and community health services: medical and dental and non-medical staff within specified organisations by nature of contract, as at 30 September 2005 
			  Number (headcount) 
			   Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust  Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust 
			   All staff  Full-time  Part-time  Other( 1)  All staff  Full-time  Part-time  Other( 1) 
			 All medical and dental staff(2) 685 619 59 7 304 262 42 0 
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 2,127 1,255 822 50 1,199 570 469 160 
			 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff 731 488 243 0 355 219 136 0 
			 (1) Includes fixed-term appointments, staff with honorary contracts and bank nurses. (2) Medical and dental staff that have maximum part-time contracts are added to those staff with full-time contracts in order to reflect their substantially whole-time commitment.  Sources: 1. The Information Centre for health and social care medical and dental workforce census. 2. The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical workforce census.

Umbilican Cord Blood

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on the collection and storage of umbilican cord blood; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Government are committed to exploring the use of all forms of stem cells to provide treatments for patients. Placental/umbilical cord blood donations provide a unique source of stem cells, particularly for patients from ethnic minorities.
	The Department supports the collection of cord blood by the NHS Cord Blood Bank at Edgware, which is operated by the National Blood Service (NBS). The collections are donated voluntarily, to be used for stem cell transplantation for patients in the United Kingdom or abroad. The NHS Cord Blood Bank currently collects these cord blood stem cells from three collection sites—Barnet General, Northwick Park and Luton and Dunstable hospitals.
	We are committed to supporting and facilitating cord blood transplants wherever possible. In this financial year the Department will provide the NBS with £3.5 million to help support the storage and use of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells, including the NHS Cord Blood Bank.
	There are a number of commercial cord blood banks that offer mothers the opportunity to store their own baby's cord blood stem cells for their own family's use. At present, the Department does not recommend routine commercial cord blood collection and stem-cell storage.

Under-served Markets Project

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which areas her Department's under-served markets project is being applied; what additional resources have been allocated to the project; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: This Department is offering dedicated support to the primary care trusts (PCTs) with fewest general practitioners for their populations. The aim is to help those PCTs to improve delivery of their local primary care services. Any new services will be paid for locally by PCTs from their allocations which have increased substantially but procurement costs will be met by the Department. The localities involved are identified in figure 3.2 of the White Paper, "Our Health Our Care Our Say".

Waiting Lists/Times

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting times have been for  (a) heart and  (b) cancer operations in Bolsover constituency in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not available in the format required. However, the count of mean and median waiting times in the Bolsover constituency, where North Eastern Derbyshire PCT was the PCT area of residence for heart operations, is contained in the following table.
	
		
			   Mean waiting time in days  Median waiting time in days 
			 1996-97 149.5 107 
			 1997-98 171 136 
			 1998-99 154.9 101 
			 1999-2000 130.9 80 
			 2000-01 147.7 104 
			 2001-02 142 112 
			 2002-03 125.9 102 
			 2003-04 117.4 108 
			 2004-05 92.4 89 
			  Notes We cannot provide information on the waiting times for cancer operations as it is too difficult to specify which operations are specifically for treating cancer. For example, some procedures may be used to treat cancer but may also be used to treat other conditions.  Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Data quality: Hospital episode statistics (HES) are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. The Health and Social Care Information Centre liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. Whilst this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Ungrossed data: Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).  Main operation The main operation is the first recorded operation in the HES data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details, eg. time waited, but the figures for 'all operations count of episodes' give a more complete count of episodes with an operation. OPCS CODES OPCS CODES K01-K71 Used for heart operations.  Primary care trust (PCT) and strategic health authority (SHA) data quality: PCT and SHA data were added to historic data-years in the HES database using 2002-03 boundaries, as a one-off exercise in 2004. The quality of the data on PCT of treatment and SHA of treatment is poor in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, with over a third of all finished episodes having missing values in these years. Data quality of PCT of GP practice and SHA of GP practice in 1997-98 and 1998-99 is also poor, with a high proportion missing values where practices changed or ceased to exist. There is less change in completeness of the residence-based fields over time, where the majority of unknown values are due to missing postcodes on birth episodes. Users of time series analysis including these years need to be aware of these issues in their interpretation of the data.  Time waited (days): Time waited statistics from hospital episode statistics (HES) are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.  Source: Hospital episode statistics (HES), The Information Centre for Health and Social Care

Waiting Lists/Times

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) mean and  (b) median waiting time for(i) in-patients and (ii) out-patients was in each year since 2002 (A) in total and (B) in each primary care trust which commissioned their care.

Andy Burnham: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
	Figures for the end of March for each year from 2000 to 2005 are quoted. Primary care trust-level data were not available in March 2002, hence June 2002 is provided for the year instead. For 2006, June data are provided as this is the latest set of figures available.

Watford General Hospital

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the proposed private finance initiative redevelopment of Watford general hospital; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: It is the responsibility of primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities to analyse their local situation and develop plans, in liaison with their local national health service trusts and primary care providers, to deliver high quality NHS services.
	Hertfordshire PCT has been tasked, by East of England strategic health authority, to carry out a review of the "Investing In Your Health" strategy looking at east and north and west Hertfordshire. In particular whether the current configuration plans are financially sustainable and, if not, the degree of change that would be required.
	The West Hertfordshire NHS trust capital investment scheme is one of those included in the private finance initiative reappraisal exercise which the Government announced in January. Decisions have already been announced on a number of the schemes involved in the reappraisal; that concerning West Hertfordshire will be made in due course and will of course have to take into account the factors mentioned above.

Weighted Capitation Model

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the weighted capitation model was introduced.

Andy Burnham: The weighted capitation formula was first used for the 1976-77 revenue allocations, further to the Resource Allocation Working Party (RAWP) recommendation that financial resources should be distributed on the basis of population, weighted according to need for healthcare and the unavoidable cost of providing healthcare services.
	The RAWP was set up "with a view to establishing a pattern of distribution responsive objectively, equitably and efficiently to relative need and to make recommendations". The underlying objective of resource allocation was interpreted by RAWP to be "equal opportunity of access to health care for people at equal risk".

Weighted Capitation Model

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times the weighted capitation model and its predecessors have been adjusted since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The changes made to the weighted capitation formula are set out in the "Resource Allocation: weighted capitation formula" booklets (editions two to five) which are available in the Library.
	Copies of editions three to five can be found on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/allocations.

West Midlands Ambulance Service

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the new non-executive directors of the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS trust are; and what their registrable  (a) interests and  (b) affiliations are.

Rosie Winterton: The appointment of non-executive directors of national health service trusts, including ambulance trusts, has been delegated to the Appointments Commission. I have asked Sir William Wells, chairman, to write to the hon. Member with the detailed information requested.

West Sussex Health Care

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent meetings she has had to discuss the future of hospitals in West Sussex; when they were held; and who attended each.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend Secretary of State has not had any recent meetings to discuss the future of hospitals in West Sussex.

West Sussex Health Care

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the future demographic pressures on the health service in West Sussex.

Ivan Lewis: The configuration of local health services is a matter for the local national health service. It is for local NHS organisations, in conjunction with local stakeholders, to plan and develop services to meet both national and local priorities.

West Sussex Hospitals

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will visit hospitals in West Sussex planned for closure or downgrading.

Caroline Flint: My right hon. Friend has no current plans to visit West Sussex. She did however, visit services in the former Surrey and Sussex strategic health authority on 14 July 2006. She met with a number of senior health and social care providers including the chief executives and chairs of the hospitals the hon. Member is referring to.
	The Secretary of State also held a staff engagement session at the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals national health service trust which included clinical and non-clinical staff from across the health economy.

Worthing Hospital

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were admitted to Worthing hospital to see an  (a) dermatology and  (b) cardiology consultant in each of the last three years.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is only held at trust-level.

Health Expenditure Weighting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 August to question 13422, if she will set out the impact of the weighting of the three elements of the national weighted capitation formula in three hierarchical tables where the primary care trusts with the highest weighting, and therefore receiving the greatest resources placed at the top and those with the least at the bottom.

Andy Burnham: The information has been placed in the Library.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Accession Countries

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many workers from the new member states of the EU are claiming tax credits; and how many are claiming in respect of families still living in their home countries.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) on 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2337W-38W.

Albania

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who he met during his recent visit to Albania; what matters were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: I have not visited Albania. On 4 April 2006 the then Home Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Norwich North, (Mr. Clarke), visited Albania as part of a regional tour that also included visits to Romania and Bulgaria. In Albania he met the Prime Minister, Sali Berisha; the Minister of the Interior, Sokol Olldashi; the Minister of Justice, Aldo Bumci; and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Besnik Mustafaj. The meetings were constructive and areas of discussion included how the UK and Albania could continue to work together to tackle serious organised crime, manage migration and combat terrorism.

Alcohol (Minors)

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures to prevent the purchasing of alcohol by adults for consumption by minors.

Vernon Coaker: No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of measures to prevent the purchasing of alcohol by adults for consumption by minors.
	Fixed penalties for the proxy purchase offences of purchasing alcohol for underage consumption were introduced as part of the penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme established under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The PND scheme, which was piloted in 2002, was rolled out to all police forces in England and Wales in 2004. In November 2004 the PND scheme was widened to include proxy purchase offences of buying or attempting to buy alcohol on behalf of an individual aged under-18. 84 PNDs were issued for these related offences in 2004; 253 in 2005 and 245 for the first half of 2006 (provisional).

Alcohol (Minors)

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the role of alcohol abuse by minors in recorded cases of antisocial behaviour in Copeland.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office has made no such assessment of alcohol misuse by minors in Copeland.
	Tackling alcohol misuse effectively requires a mix of activity delivered by local agencies working in partnership. Cumbria police, Cumbria county council and Copeland borough council have undertaken work to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder involving youths. The activity includes: confiscations of alcohol from youths in Whitehaven; underage test purchasing operations in licensed premises in West Cumbria; talks to secondary school pupils on alcohol misuse in Copeland; and the use of acceptable behaviour contracts.

Alcohol (Minors)

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for selling alcohol to minors in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is provided in the table. Data for 2005 will be available in late November.
	The offence of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 can attract a penalty notice for disorder (PND). The offence was added to the PND scheme on 1 November 2004, and there were 113 penalty notices issued for the offence in November and December of that year. A further 2,058 penalty notices issued for the offence in 2005. Data for this period for PNDs have been provided as 2005 is the most recent 12 month period for which complete and finalised data is available.
	
		
			  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for offences related to the sale of alcohol to persons under 18, England and Wales 1995-2004( 1, 2) 
			  Offence  Offence description  Principal statute  Year  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 14203 Selling etc intoxicating liquor to person under 18 for consumption on the premises Licensing Act 1964 S.169 A & B as added by Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 S.1 2004 814 586 
			   
			 14352 Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to a person under 18 Licensing Act 1964 S.181 A(1) as added by Licensing Act 1988 S.17 2004 5 3 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDS - Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Alcohol (Minors)

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many online retailers were prosecuted for selling alcohol to under-age customers in each year for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform does not separately identify online retailers from other retailers prosecuted for the offence of selling alcohol to underage customers.

Alcohol Treatment Requirement Orders

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Alcohol Treatment Requirement Orders have been issued in England and Wales in 2005.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Between April and December 2005, 1,370 alcohol treatment requirements were made under Community Orders which commenced under probation service supervision. A further 200 such requirements were made under Suspended Sentence Orders which commenced supervision during the same period.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and the totals have been rounded.

Alcohol-related Crime

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been made available in each constabulary for tackling alcohol-related crime in each of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns; and on what dates the money was made available in each constabulary.

Tony McNulty: We do not hold the information in the format requested as not all participating police forces were the same in each of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns (AMECs). To collate that information at this stage would involve disproportionate cost. However, the total amounts of funding provided to police forces for each of the AMECs are as follows.
	
		
			   BCUs( 1)  £ million 
			 AMEC one (Summer 2004) 92 1.5 
			 AMEC two (Christmas 2004) 188 1.2 
			 AMEC three (14 November 2005 to 31 December 2005) 233 2.5 
			 AMEC four (8 May to 8 June 2006) 221 2.3 
			 (1) Basic Command Units

Alcohol-related Crime

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional money has been made available to the police in the last 12 months for tackling alcohol-related crime in addition to the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns.

Tony McNulty: In addition to the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns, the Home Office made £1.062 million available to police forces and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to tackle alcohol-related crime in the last 12 months.

Alcohol-related Crime

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to extend the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns.

Tony McNulty: The primary function of the Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns has been to develop and nurture tactics which are effective in dealing with alcohol-related crime and disorder. Having had four specific campaigns, and a separate set of processes for ensuring that good practice is shared and disseminated across England and Wales, our approach now is to look to forces to embed these arrangements in their core everyday policing arrangements.

Alcohol-related Crime

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol-related crimes have been recorded in each constabulary in each quarter of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: From the information collected centrally on recorded crime, it is not possible to identify those offences which are alcohol-related. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in the recorded crime statistics.

Alcohol-related Crime

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been for alcohol-related crimes in each quarter of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested, covering the years 2000-04, are provided in the first table.
	Data for 2005 will be available in late November 2006.
	Additionally, the penalty notice for disorder scheme was brought into effect in all police forces in England and Wales in 2004. Under the scheme the police are able to issue persons committing specified minor offences with a fixed penalty notice of either £50 or £80. No admission of guilt is required and payment of the penalty discharges all liability for the offence. Data on the number of PNDS issued for these offences in 2004, 2005 and 2006 (provisional January to June), broken down by quarter, are provided in the second table. A list of those alcohol-related offences for which a PND may be issued is also included in the second table.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for alcohol related offences, by offence class and quarter, England and Wales 2000-04( 1,2) 
			   Drunkenness, simple  Drunkenness, with aggravation  Offence by licensed person, etc.( 3)  Other offences against liquor laws( 4) 
			  2000 
			 Quarter 1 734 6,476 61 50 
			 Quarter 2 755 6,162 63 31 
			 Quarter 3 819 6,002 34 44 
			 Quarter 4 661 5,573 51 28 
			 Total 2,969 24,213 209 153 
			  
			  2001 
			 Quarter 1 684 6,167 54 34 
			 Quarter 2 666 5,763 43 28 
			 Quarter 3 696 5,963 41 26 
			 Quarter 4 695 5,612 35 31 
			 Total 2,741 23,505 173 119 
			  
			  2002 
			 Quarter 1 646 6,311 42 44 
			 Quarter 2 644 5,991 55 18 
			 Quarter 3 644 6,194 44 29 
			 Quarter 4 576 5,892 79 47 
			 Total 2,510 24,388 220 138 
			  
			  2003 
			 Quarter 1 559 6,439 98 40 
			 Quarter 2 596 6,177 142 41 
			 Quarter 3 591 6,420 134 23 
			 Quarter 4 553 6,362 129 45 
			 Total 2,299 25,398 503 149 
			  
			  2004 
			 Quarter 1 577 6,335 149 48 
			 Quarter 2 488 5,147 178 53 
			 Quarter 3 499 4,246 206 37 
			 Quarter 4 384 3,457 150 25 
			 Total 1,948 19,185 683 163 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.  (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (3) Includes offences of licence holders permitting violent conduct on premises, sale of alcohol out of hours etc.  (4) Includes offences of individuals buying, selling alcohol unlawfully etc.   Source:  RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of penalty notices for disorder issued for alcohol-related offences( 1)  In England and Wales to offenders aged 16 and over, by quarter, 2004-05 and January to June 2006 provisional data( 2) 
			   Quarter 1  Quarter 2  Quarter 3  Quarter 4 
			 2004 2,373 6,898 9,743 10,694 
			 2005 9,329 9,525 9,969 12,694 
			 2006(3) 10,825 12,913 ? ? 
			 (1) See offence list for offences which make up PND alcohol offences. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) January to June provisional data. 
		
	
	 PND alcohol offences:
	Being guilty while Drunk of disorderly behaviour
	Sale of alcohol to a drunken person(1)
	Supply of alcohol to a person under 18(1)
	Sale of alcohol to person under 18(1)
	Purchase alcohol for person under 18(1)
	Purchase alcohol for person under 18 for consumption on the premises
	Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery(1)
	Being found drunk in a highway or other public place
	Consumption of alcohol in public place
	Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises(1)
	Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises(1)
	Buying or Attempting to buy alcohol for person under 18(1)
	(1) Offences came into force on 1 November 2004

Amnesty International (Prison Inspections)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inspections Amnesty International have made of conditions in British prisons in each of the last five years; and what the  (a) duration and  (b) nature was of each such visit.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There is no record of any centrally arranged visits by Amnesty International to any prison in England and Wales in the last five years, nor have any reports on such visits been received. HM Inspectorate of Prisons conducts regular inspections of all prisons in England and Wales and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture also has the right to enter and inspect prisons in the UK. Amnesty International does not carry out inspections of prisons in England and Wales.

Amnesty International (Prison Inspections)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Amnesty International has visited class A  (a) prisons and  (b) prisons where prisoners are being held under terrorism legislation in each of the last two years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There is no record of any visit in the last two years.

Angling

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking to protect anglers from attacks by anti-fishing extremists; and what consultation has been undertaken with angling organisations.

Tony McNulty: We condemn attacks on individuals enjoying lawful recreational activities such as angling. While the Government supports a person's right to protest lawfully about activities they oppose, people also have a right to be free to carry out their lawful business or recreation without fear of intimidation or violence.
	Police forces treat all incidents related to animal rights extremism very seriously and will monitor campaigns and respond accordingly to any increase in unlawful incidents.
	The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for Policing, Security and Community Safety, my hon. Friend the Member is meeting representatives of the angling community next month to discuss their concerns about anti-angling activities and to look at what more can be done to protect anglers.

Animal Trading

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for selling endangered animals there were in 2005.

Vernon Coaker: Data on prosecutions under the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulations for 2005 will be available in late November 2006.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) males and  (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of anti-Semitic violence in  (A) Southend,  (B) Essex and  (C) England and Wales in the last 12 months, broken down by age.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to identify from data collected by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, those prosecutions, or convictions which relate to anti-Semitic behaviour as the data are not collected at this level of detail.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of anti-Semitism have been reported in  (a) Southend,  (b) Essex and  (c) England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Meg Munn: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not collected centrally.
	The Home Office has responsibility for collating recorded crime data and publishes statistics on numbers of racially or religiously aggravated offences.
	The police treat anti-Semitic incidents as racist incidents. Their definition when recording such incidents is:
	"any incident which is regarded as racist by the victim or any other person."
	This is the definition recommended by the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry and as a consequence the statistics available do not distinguish between religiously and racially aggravated crime, or, more specifically, anti-Semitic incidents.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received from  (a) hon. Members,  (b) Members of the House of Lords,  (c) organisations and  (d) members of the public on anti-Semitism in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials have had with representatives of the Jewish community to discuss anti-Semitism in England and Wales; what reply was given; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: I have been asked to reply.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, her ministerial team, and her officials have met with various community stakeholders to discuss a broad range of issues. Anti-Semitism may well have been raised as one such issue during these often wide-ranging discussions. Similarly the Secretary of State also receives many representations, and correspondence, from a broad cross-section of society on many wide- ranging issues, in which anti-Semitism may well have been raised.
	For example, the Secretary of State, recently met with the Chief Rabbi where general issues concerning the Jewish community were discussed, and more recently received a representation from the Labour Friends of Israel which includes Members from both the House of Commons and House of Lords. My hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion recently met with the Board of Deputies of British Jews to discuss issues affecting the Jewish community, and with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust to discuss its future work plans. He more recently met with my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann) the co-chair of the all party parliamentary inquiry into anti-Semitism to discuss the Inquiry's report. I have also helped chair one of the two meetings of the Faith Communities Consultative Council this year, which Jewish representatives are part of, to discuss faith related issues. Officials from the Cohesion and Faiths Unit have also recently met with my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw and officials supporting the All Party Committee into Anti-Semitism to discuss progress towards production of the Government's response to the inquiry's report. Few records were kept of these discussions however, where they exist arrangements will be made to place copies in the Library.
	The Government have said that their response to the report of the all party parliamentary inquiry into anti-Semitism will be provided by the middle of November 2006.

Antisocial Behaviour

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) prosecutions have been made and  (b) fixed penalty notices have been issued by (i) police and (ii) local authorities for  (A) fly tipping,  (B) graffiti,  (C) dog fouling,  (D) the dropping of litter and  (E) parking offences in each of the last 20 years.

Tony McNulty: Available information on fixed penalty notices issued by the police and penalty charge notices issued by local authority parking attendants is provided in table 1, from 1997-2004 (latest available). For police issued fixed penalty notices, the information relates to all offences of "obstruction, waiting and parking".
	There is no fixed penalty notice available for the offence of fly tipping by local authority, as prosecution of this offence is through the courts.
	The number of fixed penalty notices issued by local authorities for the offences of graffiti, dog fouling and the dropping of litter are included in table 2. These figures only include those notices issued by English authorities, as the Secretary of State can only request this information of the English authorities. The National Assembly of Wales is responsible for collecting this information in Wales.
	The 2005-06 figures, relating to the above, are due to be released in November, once the dataset has been compiled and audited.
	Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for offences related to fly tipping, littering and dog fouling in England and Wales for the years 1997-2004, broken down by police force area, can be viewed in table 3.
	Court proceedings data broken down by local authority area is not available as court proceedings data are not collected at that level of detail.
	Data for 2005 will be available in mid November.
	
		
			  Table 1: Fixed penalty notices and penalty charge notices issued for breaches of obstruction, waiting and parking regulations( 1,2)  England and Wales, 1997-2004 
			  Thousand 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  Fixed penalty notices 
			 Metropolitan and City of London police 162 206 193 197 142 143 210 162 
			 Other police forces 2,038 1,912 1,615 1,398 1,183 1,022 834 720 
			 Total 2,199 2,118 1,808 1,595 1,325 1,165 1,044 883 
			  Penalty charge notices 
			 London 3,686 3,733 3,664 4,021 4,222 4,799 5,053 5,392 
			 Other local authorities(3) 83 138 292 634 1,081 1,614 2,070 2,261 
			 Total 3,769 3,872 3,956 4,655 5,303 6,413 7,123 7,653 
			  
			  Total fixed penalties and penalty charge notices 5,968 5,990 5,764 6,251 6,628 7,578 8,167 8,536 
			 (1) Fixed penalty notices issued by police (including traffic wardens) for breaches under relevant statutes.  (2) Penalty charge notices issued by local authority parking attendants under decriminalised parking enforcement powers.  (3) England only from 1997 to 2002.   Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police and local authorities. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source: RDS - Office for Criminal Justice Reform Ref: PQ 229-06 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: The number of fixed penalty notices issued by local authorities for the offences of graffiti, dog fouling and the dropping of litter, in England, financial years 1997- 2005 
			   Litter( 1)  Dogs( 2)  Graffiti( 3) 
			 1997-98 727 292 (4)— 
			 1998-99 4,777 1,321 (4)— 
			 1999-2000 2,970 1,545 (4)— 
			 2000-01 2,247 1,817 (4)— 
			 2001-02 11,615 2,311 (4)— 
			 2002-03 12,820 2,036 (4)— 
			 2003-04 7,565 2,742 (4)— 
			 2004-05 25,216 3,557 19 
			 (1 )Offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  (2 )Offence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996.  (3) Offence under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.  (4 )Nil   Source: DEFRA 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for selected offences related to fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling, by police force area, England and Wales 1997-2004 
			   Fly-tipping offences( 1) 
			  Police force area  1997  1998  1999  2000( 4)  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset 2 1 — — 1 1 1 — 
			 Bedfordshire — 6 — — 2 1 2 1 
			 Cambridgeshire 3 9 — — — — — 1 
			 Cheshire — 2 4 4 6 6 12 3 
			 City of London — — — — — — — — 
			 Cleveland 6 5 3 5 1 1 2 4 
			 Cumbria 4 3 1 4 — 2 6 1 
			 Derbyshire 1 4 4 4 13 4 6 8 
			 Devon and Cornwall 9 4 9 10 14 17 13 23 
			 Dorset 5 — — 2 1 4 — — 
			 Durham — 1 1 3 — — 1 — 
			 Essex 10 11 4 7 5 2 3 10 
			 Gloucestershire — 1 2 — — 1 — — 
			 Greater Manchester 1 3 13 12 9 10 21 10 
			 Hampshire 10 8 3 2 7 9 6 5 
			 Hertfordshire 4 3 11 7 4 4 3 2 
			 Humberside — 3 5 3 5 20 17 9 
			 Kent — — — — — 1 2 17 
			 Lancashire 6 25 26 28 11 47 24 17 
			 Leicestershire — 3 — — 1 1 — 4 
			 Lincolnshire 2 7 4 10 9 11 8 12 
			 Merseyside 2 1 2 3 5 — — 1 
			 Metropolitan Police 4 11 18 5 10 15 12 45 
			 Norfolk 1 4 1 — — 1 1 2 
			 North Yorkshire — 6 5 — 6 — 2 — 
			 Northamptonshire — 3 7 5 1 2 — — 
			 Northumbria 8 8 14 23 9 7 18 23 
			 Nottinghamshire — — 1 — 1 — — 3 
			 South Yorkshire 12 13 6 8 4 10 10 9 
			 Staffordshire — 2 2 (4)— — 3 — 2 
			 Suffolk 4 — 2 1 4 2 — 6 
			 Surrey 6 15 — 7 4 13 3 1 
			 Sussex — 4 1 5 6 1 4 4 
			 Thames Valley 1 — 6 10 10 17 18 20 
			 Warwickshire 1 — — — — 2 2 2 
			 West Mercia 2 — 5 2 3 5 1 2 
			 West Midlands 6 24 39 10 21 24 33 26 
			 West Yorkshire 4 9 10 4 3 2 2 5 
			 Wiltshire — — — — — — — — 
			 Dyfed-Powys — 5 1 2 1 2 1 3 
			 Gwent 1 — — 2 6 — 4 2 
			 North Wales — — — 2 6 3 3 7 
			 South Wales 2 2 3 2 18 18 12 19 
			 England and Wales 117 206 213 192 207 269 253 309 
		
	
	
		
			   Allowing dog to foul in designated public place( 2) 
			  Police force area  1997  1998  1999  2000( 4)  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset — 3 5 14 24 14 9 11 
			 Bedfordshire — — 2 4 — — — — 
			 Cambridgeshire — 2 2 — — — — — 
			 Cheshire — 1 1 — 4 2 1 1 
			 City of London — — — — — — — — 
			 Cleveland —. — — — — — 1 1 
			 Cumbria — 1 3 3 2 6 34 32 
			 Derbyshire 4 46 20 5 15 28 29 14 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1 6 1 — 5 1 5 5 
			 Dorset — 5 18 5 3 4 7 3 
			 Durham — — 6 5 2 1 — — 
			 Essex   4 5 1 2 4 4 
			 Gloucestershire — — — 2 — — 2 2 
			 Greater — — — 16 11 49 108 147 
			 Hampshire 11 16 50 22 7 3 4 7 
			 Hertfordshire — 5 2 2 — — 1 1 
			 Humberside — 13 24 24 12 4 1 — 
			 Kent — — — — 5 12 14 2 
			 Lancashire 2 14 36 45 40 20 25 32 
			 Leicestershire — 7 — — — — — — 
			 Lincolnshire — — 3 16 11 1 11 8 
			 Merseyside 1 6 6 20 22 1 — 17 
			 Metropolitan Police 9 9 27 35 76 112 59 47 
			 Norfolk — — 1 — — — 2 — 
			 North Yorkshire 5 12 14 11 17 3 27 15 
			 Northamptonshire — 1 — 34 22 2 15 6 
			 Northumbria 1 — 2 1 — 1 9 28 
			 Nottinghamshire — 1 8 4 1 — 6 1 
			 South Yorkshire — — — — 5 6 2 17 
			 Staffordshire — — — (4)— — — 1 — 
			 Suffolk — 4 3 3 3 3 — 2 
			 Surrey — — — 4 — 1 1 — 
			 Sussex 1 2 — 5 1 4 — 1 
			 Thames Valley — — 3 2 — 3 5 2 
			 Warwickshire — — — 9 9 1 6 2 
			 West Mercia — — — 4 — 2 1 1 
			 West Midlands — 1 — 2 — 2 2 5 
			 West — 1 35 21 21 14 15 13 
			 Wiltshire — 4 1 3 2 2 2 3 
			 Dyfed-Powys — — — 2 7 25 18 10 
			 Gwent — — — — 10 4 18 18 
			 North Wales 10 23 9 2 13 16 4 3 
			 South Wales — 1 8 11 15 6 5 — 
			 England and Wales 45 184 294 341 366 355 454 461 
		
	
	
		
			   Depositing litter( 3) 
			  Police force area  1997  1998  1999  2000( 4)  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Avon and Somerset 3 3 4 4 3 3 5 4 
			 Bedfordshire 6 1 2 3 2 1 2 4 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 2 3 3 2 — 5 1 
			 Cheshire 3 3 2 — 3 2 2 4 
			 City of London 2 2 3 — — — — — 
			 Cleveland 23 16 7 18 15 6 8 4 
			 Cumbria 51 60 43 26 28 21 32 39 
			 Derbyshire 8 16 15 15 10 5 1 5 
			 Devon and Cornwall 20 13 5 5 4 5 9 25 
			 Dorset 3 2 2 1 1 2 2 — 
			 Durham 4 4 8 9 6 4 4 5 
			 Essex 12 24 14 9 10 6 9 28 
			 Gloucestershire 7 18 3 4 7 1 1 3 
			 Greater 13 23 13 17 12 13 17 129 
			 Hampshire 10 10 15 11 27 11 18 15 
			 Hertfordshire 6 6 4 3 2 4 6 16 
			 Humberside 4 2 4 — 3 — 4 3 
			 Kent 5 — 4 5 4 6 6 12 
			 Lancashire 18 7 18 9 5 5 11 13 
			 Leicestershire 5 4 6 4 6 9 18 20 
			 Lincolnshire 12 10 6 3 — 2 1 2 
			 Merseyside 3 11 11 41 18 7 6 59 
			 Metropolitan Police 76 80 137 118 136 74 107 174 
			 Norfolk 1 3 3 6 6 7 5 4 
			 North Yorkshire 11 15 15 8 5 5 5 9 
			 Northamptonshire 1 1 11 1 — 1 2 1 
			 Northumbria 20 22 28 43 23 39 69 90 
			 Nottinghamshire 10 10 7 2 2 6 7 10 
			 South Yorkshire 27 21 17 26 14 15 26 43 
			 Staffordshire 6 — 4 (4)— 4 1 5 10 
			 Suffolk 8 5 1 2 4 6 5 2 
			 Surrey 5 3 2 3 2 1 2 3 
			 Sussex — — 3 — 2 — 2 2 
			 Thames Valley 6 6 5 2 3 1 5 1 
			 Warwickshire 5 5 5 3 6 — 2 2 
			 West Mercia 11 15 15 9 9 9 10 14 
			 West Midlands 33 7 6 5 9 11 21 20 
			 West 10 14 6 9 2 4 10 49 
			 Wiltshire 2 5 2 6 8 2 4 1 
			 Dyfed-Powys 7 6 7 7 3 3 5 2 
			 Gwent 26 22 14 12 25 4 26 34 
			 North Wales 2 3 3 2 4 1 3 7 
			 South Wales 19 14 18 12 22 29 63 39 
			 England and Wales 505 494 501 466 457 332 551 908 
			 (1) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled and special and 'non special' waste in or on land without a licence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990Sec.33(8).  (2) Dogs (fouling of Land) Act 1996 offences.  (3) Offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 S.87.  (4) Staffordshire Police Force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates' courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.   Notes:  1. These data are provided on an all offence basis  2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source:  RDS - Office for Criminal Justice Reform Ref: PQ 229-06

Antisocial Behaviour

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) fixed penalty notices have been issued and  (b) prosecutions have been made for the sale of spray paint to minors since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.

Vernon Coaker: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform shows that there were no prosecutions reported for the sale of spray paint to minors since the introduction of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 in 2004. Data for 2005 will be available in November.
	Fixed penalties notices are not available for the offence of selling spray paints to minors.

Antisocial Behaviour

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints about antisocial behaviour were made to Lancashire Constabulary during the Hallowe'en and Guy Fawkes night period in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not collect or publish data on complaints of antisocial behaviour reported to the police.

Antisocial Behaviour

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dispersal orders were issued in  (a) Lancashire and  (b) Ribble Valley in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Section 30 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 provides the police with powers to disperse groups and remove under 16s to their place of residence, within authorised areas. These powers came into force on 20 January 2004.
	Information on the use of the powers has not been routinely collected. However, from a Home Office data collection exercise, we estimate that around 800 areas were designated in England and Wales between January 2004 and June 2005. From April 2006, the data are being collected by police force area.

Antisocial Behaviour

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 in the  (a) Lancashire Constabulary and  (b) Ribble Valley area.

Tony McNulty: Tables giving the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued at all courts up to 30 September 2005 (latest available), as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, by criminal justice system (cjs) area and by local government authority areas in which prohibitions are imposed within orders, can be found on the Crime Reduction website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk. The Lancashire cjs area is coterminous with the Lancashire Constabulary police force area.

Antisocial Behaviour

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders have given rise to action by the police in North Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her question on 16 February 2006,  Official Report, column 2327W. No information is collected centrally on police action taken prior to or following a conviction for breaching an antisocial behaviour order.

Antisocial Behaviour

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  why Dudley was not given trailblazer status in 2003 as part of the Government initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour;
	(2)  what plans he has to extend trailblazer status to more areas in the Black Country as part of the Government's initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Tony McNulty: Although Dudley is not a Trailblazer area, it, along with all other local authorities, has been able to benefit from the Together Campaign. Central to that campaign has been ensuring that everyone involved—the public, police officers, housing officers, wardens, community workers, court staff and environmental health officers—have the knowledge and support to enable them to deal with antisocial behaviour and bring respite to those affected by it.
	The Respect Action Plan, published earlier this year, detailed the Government's drive to build on the success of the Together Campaign and go further in tackling the symptoms and causes of antisocial behaviour wherever they are encountered. As part of this, the Respect Task Force will be working closely with a larger number of areas who can demonstrate their commitment to delivering upon the Respect programme and act as exemplars for the approaches outlined in the Respect Action Plan. We are looking to ensure regional and national coverage and will be contacting prospective areas over the coming months.

Antisocial Behaviour

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been breached in each local authority area in the last three years.

Tony McNulty: ASBO breach data are currently available from 1 June 2000 to 31 December 2003 for ASBOs issued since 1 June 2000 and are available at Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level only.
	More up-to-date data are being validated and we hope to publish shortly.

Armed Forces (Foreign Nationals)

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals who had served in the British armed forces  (a) applied for and  (b) were granted (i) indefinite leave to remain and (ii) British citizenship in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 July 2006
	Figures for applications from foreign nationals for Indefinite Leave to Remain before October 2003 are not available. Figures for the period October 2003 until June 2006 for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) are in the following table.
	
		
			  Armed forces applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) 
			   Applied for ILR  Granted ILR 
			 October 2003 to March 2004 15 10 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 358 261 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 1,349 1,407 
			 April 2006 to June 2006 608 593 
			 Total 2,330 2,271 
		
	
	The figures relating to applications for citizenship from foreign nationals for the same period are not available.
	The numbers granted do not relate to the applications received because of the time lags involved in dealing with applications.
	The figures quoted are from provisional management information and are subject to change.

Arranged Marriages

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of marriages arranged between members of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities with spouses from Pakistan and Bangladesh on the integration of their respective communities into British society; and whether he has commissioned any research into this subject.

Meg Munn: There are no specific research programmes underway on this. The Commission on Integration and Cohesion will consider how local communities can manage the challenges related to changing patterns of migration, and this will include how to ensure that all new migrants are supported to become established in their local communities.

Assets Recovery Agency

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much in cash and assets has been seized by the Assets Recovery Agency in each year since its formation.

Vernon Coaker: The Assets Recovery Agency has recovered, as a result of High Court recovery orders or negotiated settlements, the following amounts since its inception:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2003-04 (1)— 
			 2004-05 4.3 
			 2005-06 4.1 
			 2006-07(2) 2.3 
			 (1 )No assets recovered in first year of operation  (2) At 27 October 2006.

Asylum/Immigration

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department started to track the numbers of fresh applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain; how many fresh applications have been submitted since the tracking scheme was implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: In the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, applications made to Managed Migration Directorate (MMD) for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are stored on their Case Information Database. Available information kept since April 2002 of the numbers involved are in the following table.
	The Asylum Casework Directorate (ACD) has kept statistics on the number of main applicants identified for consideration and decisions made by the Family ILR exercise since it began in October 2003. The most recent figures were published in the Q2 2006 Asylum Statistics on 22 August 2006.
	Information on the Asylum Directorate's Family ILR exercise is published quarterly and annually and is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		
			  Period  Number of ILR applications 
			 Year to 31 March 2004 111,408 
			 Year to 31 March 2005 (1)85,657 
			 Year to 31 March 2006 124,934 
			 (1) Reduction in applications due to rule changes that extended the qualification time for marriage ILR from four to five years. 
		
	
	This information has not been quality assured and is not a National Statistic. It should be treated as provisional management information.

Asylum/Immigration

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether he has plans to make an assessment of the time required to resolve current outstanding applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether an assessment has been made by his Department of the time required to resolve outstanding applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Managed Migration Directorate aim to decide applications according to their published service standards. These are to decide 70 per cent. of charged cases within 20 working days and 90 per cent. within 70 working days. For non-charged cases, they aim to decide 25 per cent. within 20 working days and 30 per cent. within 70 working days. Straightforward applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) are completed within this time scale, though more complex cases may take longer.
	The Asylum Casework Directorate has processed the great majority of Family Indefinite Leave to Remain cases. It would only be possible to assess the time required to resolve those that remain outstanding(1) at disproportionate cost.
	(1) Information on the Asylum Directorate's Family ILR exercise is published quarterly and annually and is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain are outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Most applications for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) are work in progress in Managed Migration Directorate's General Group. As at the end of September 2006 there were approximately 14,750 applications in this category.
	This information has not been quality assured and is not a National Statistic. It should be treated as provisional management information. As of 30 June 2006, the Asylum Casework Directorate had 460 applications for Family ILR awaiting a decision(1).
	(1) Information on the Family ILR exercise is published quarterly and annually. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum/Immigration

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how regularly the Department reviews its opinion on whether a country is safe for returning asylum seekers.

John Reid: We continuously monitor the situation in all asylum intake countries taking into account information from a wide range of recognised and respected governmental and non-governmental organisation sources as well-as current news reports. Asylum decision-makers take into account the situation in the country of origin as it affects each asylum applicant when making a decision on an asylum claim. We would only return an individual where this was consistent with our international obligations and where the individual has been unsuccessful in any appeals against the decision in their particular case.

Asylum/Immigration

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the change in the number of outstanding asylum cases in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate since 1 June.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 September 2006
	This small increase of 200 cases reflects the redeployment of staff on to dealing with other higher priority cases such as foreign national prisoners. New caseworkers are being recruited and trained to deal with asylum intake.

Asylum/Immigration

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the report produced for his Department by Professor Dustmann on the effect on immigration of an enlarged EU.

Liam Byrne: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6 September 2006,  Official Report, column 467W.

Asylum/Immigration

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether family applications to be re-united with those given leave to remain are required to meet the test that they will  (a) not be dependent on public funds and  (b) have adequate accommodation.

Liam Byrne: Family applications to be re-united with those given indefinite leave to remain are normally expected to meet the maintenance and accommodation requirements of the Immigration Rules. However, applications made to join either recognised refugees and those granted humanitarian protection on or after 30 August 2005, or relatives of EEA nationals, are not expected to satisfy the maintenance and accommodation requirements.

Asylum/Immigration

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many ministerial approvals have been given for the detention of a child in an immigration detention centre for more than 28 days in each month of 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Ministers review and authorise detention of children beyond 28 days where necessary on a weekly basis; we only seek to detain families with children for more than 28 days in exceptional circumstances.

Asylum/Immigration

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many transfers of long-held immigration stamps were completed in  (a) 2001-02,  (b) 2002-03,  (c) 2003-04,  (d) 2004-05 and  (e) 2005-06, broken down by cost option.

Liam Byrne: Prior to the introduction of a separate fee in April 2005 the costs and volumes for transfers of long-held immigration stamps were reported as part of the overall leave to remain figures. The department did not therefore collate information in the format requested and it could now be produced only at disproportionate costs.
	The resource accounts for the financial year 2005-06 detailing the cost and volumes for the transfer of long held immigration stamps are still being finalised and are yet to be audited by the National Audit Office.

Asylum/Immigration

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent transferring long-held immigration stamps in  (a) 2001-02,  (b) 2002-03,  (c) 2003-04,  (d) 2004-05 and  (e) 2005-06; and how much of the sum was accounted for by (i) operational costs, (ii) staffing costs and (iii) overhead costs in each case.

Liam Byrne: Prior to the introduction of a separate fee in April 2005 the costs incurred for transfers of long-held immigration stamps were reported as part of the overall leave to remain figures. The Department did not therefore collate information in the format requested and it could now be produced only at disproportionate costs.
	The resource accounts for the financial year 2005-06 detailing the cost and volumes for the transfer of long-held immigration stamps are still being finalised and are yet to be audited by the National Audit Office.

Asylum/Immigration

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of the number of people living in the UK who  (a) have and  (b) have had asylum seeker status.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of people living in the UK who have at some point claimed asylum is not available.
	Information on asylum applications is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

British Citizenship (Hong Kong)

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of children from Hong Kong who received their British citizenship certificates after February 2006 have made complaints to the Department about their certificates containing errors;
	(2)  What the average waiting time was for children from Hong Kong who applied for British citizenship after February 2006 for their British citizenship certificates;
	(3)  How many children from Hong Kong have applied for British citizenship since February 2006; and how many of these are waiting for their British citizenship certificates.

John Reid: The requested information cannot be obtained without examination of individual records at a disproportionate cost.

Burglaries

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the level of burglaries of  (a) domestic and  (b) commercial properties; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Secretary has received a number of representations regarding levels of burglary from Members' constituents and from the public in letters and e-mails but to identify individual instances where these crimes may have been raised separately from crime in general would be available only at disproportionate cost.

CCTV Evidence

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make provision for closed-circuit television images to be able to be copied for use by the police in criminal investigations.

Tony McNulty: While most CCTV systems do have some provision for closed-circuit television images to be able to be copied for use by the police in criminal investigations, it is fair to say that many of the digital CCTV systems currently in use do, from time to time, cause difficulties to some police forces. This issue has been highlighted in the National CCTV Strategy which is currently under development.
	The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) have produced advice (available on their website) on the UK Police requirements for Digital CCTV systems. This guidance can significantly alleviate many of the problems that are being encountered. HOSDB are also working with the industry to influence the design of new digital CCTV systems which better map to current and future policing needs.

Channings Wood Prison

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2006,  Official Report, column 75W, on Channings Wood Prison, what recent progress has been made on  (a) the Jamaican prisoner and  (b) each of the other 31 cases of foreign nationals to whom he refers; whether the Jamaican prisoner to whom he refers has been deported; and what plans there are for the 29 other foreign national prisoners in prison.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 8 May 2006
	In the Home Secretary's oral statement of 9 October 2006, he provided an update on the deportation of foreign national prisoners and also explained that the director general of the immigration and nationality directorate had written to the Home Affairs Committee on the same day. This letter contains a progress update on the 1,013 cases released without deportation consideration and also further information on the enforcement resources used in dealing with these cases.
	A copy of this letter has been made available in the Library of the House.

Child Pornography

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1051W, on child pornography, what progress has been made by the UK internet industry against the target for all internet service providers to have blocked access to sites abroad containing child pornography by the end of 2007.

Vernon Coaker: In June, we set the UK internet industry a target to ensure that by the end of 2007, all internet service providers (ISPs) offering broadband internet connectivity to the UK public, prevent their customers from accessing those websites. Those large providers that do not already have solutions in place for all their domestic broadband customers are continuing to roll their solutions out. A number of smaller ISPs have begun work on the implications for them. We will meet them again around the end of this year to review progress.
	There has been much discussion on the practical issues among the smaller ISPs and through ISPA, the ISP association. We continue to discuss ISPs' progress towards the target and wider issues in tackling illegal images of children with the industry, the Internet Watch Foundation and law enforcement.

Cigarette Lighters

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999; what recent representations he has received about the operation of the regulations; and whether he plans to amend them.

Vernon Coaker: The Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations banned the supply or sale of butane cigarette lighter refills to people under the age of 18 in 1999. There are currently no plans to amend this order. The Government have targeted the abuse of butane cigarette lighter refills by inhaling as a priority under its Volatile Substance Abuse framework, published in July 2006, and is developing plans to raise awareness of the law and promote its enforcement. The Secretary of State receives a number of representations on volatile substance abuse and this was the subject of an adjournment debate in the House of Commons on the 24 May 2006.

Citizenship Ceremonies

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people took part in citizenship ceremonies in  (a) Scotland,  (b) England,  (c) Wales and  (d) Northern Ireland in 2005.

Liam Byrne: The numbers of people reported to the Home Office as having attended citizenship ceremonies in the UK during 2005 are:
	
		
			   Number 
			  (a) Scotland 2,419 
			  (b) England 106,730 
			  (c) Wales 1,129 
			  (d) Northern Ireland 281

Committal Hearings

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of committal hearings resulted in the case being heard in the Crown court in each of the last three years.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	I am unable to provide the information requested. The Department's IT systems are unable to track the volume of "either way" cases being heard in the magistrates courts that give rise to the cases being transferred to the Crown court.
	The LIBRA project, which is currently being piloted, will allow for the consistent production of this data.

Control Orders

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many control orders which allow officials to search a home have been served since their introduction.

Tony McNulty: It is normal practice to include a provision for searching the home of an individual subject to a control order in order to assist enforcement of the order. An example of the obligation can be found in Annexe two of Lord Carlile's report of the Independent Reviewer on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005, which was published on 2 February 2006. Responsibility for searching the home of an individual subject to a control order is an operational matter for the police.

Control Orders

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which individuals have breached control orders;
	(2)  how many control orders have been breached in each of the last 12 months;
	(3)  what measures have been taken against those who have breached control orders in the last 12 months;
	(4)  how many individuals under control orders his Department has lost contact with;

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many suspects subject to a control order have breached the conditions of their order in the last  (a) 12 and  (b) three months;
	(2)  how long  (a) he and  (b) his officials had been aware that a suspect subject to a control order had absconded; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what plans he has to ensure that no further suspects subject to a control order are able to breach the conditions of that order; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what plans he has to review the legislation on control orders; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: holding answers 20 October 2006
	Monitoring and enforcement of control orders, and investigation of alleged breaches, are operational matters for the police. A breach of a control order, without reasonable excuse, is a criminal offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment. The Government do not give a running commentary on individual breaches of control orders, which can range from the relatively minor to more serious incidents resulting in charges being brought. This is an operational matter for the police and prosecution authorities. However, I can confirm that there have been no convictions for a breach of a control order.
	In the two cases referred to in the recent media coverage, my officials and I were informed without delay about the breaches, and all those who needed to know for operational reasons were informed as quickly as possible. Both individuals are subject to anonymity orders, which are a standard part of the operation of the control order regime. Anonymity orders protect the privacy of the individual and can help the police in the enforcement and monitoring of the control order. In these two cases, the police believe that there would be a substantial operational disadvantage in lifting the anonymity orders at the present time.
	Lord Carlisle, as the Independent Reviewer, produces an annual report on the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005. This includes reporting on breaches of control orders.
	The Government keep all counter terrorism legislation under review to ensure that it continues to meet the threat from terrorism that we face. As I announced on 28 September, I am currently undertaking a wide ranging review of the UK's counter terrorism strategy and this will include looking at existing legislation. In particular, I am reviewing what more might be necessary to improve the effectiveness of the control order regime, as well as seeking to appeal to the House of Lords to overturn the Court of Appeal's judgement on 1 August 2006 which forced me to weaken the obligations in some control order cases. I will update the House on the outcome of the review in due course.

Control Orders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suspects are subject to a control order.

John Reid: There are currently 15 control orders in operation, six of which are in respect of British nationals.

Control Orders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are issued by his Department on action to be taken in the case of a suspect breaching the conditions of his control order.

John Reid: Enforcement of breaches of control orders is a matter for the police and the prosecution authorities.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 20 July from the hon. Member for Warley regarding Mrs. Nagina Bi.

Liam Byrne: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 October 2006.

Crime Statistics

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) percentage of (i) youths, (ii) adult males and (iii) adult females from Coventry in custody following sentencing who experienced (A) drug dependency health problems, (B) alcohol dependency health problems and (C) serious mental health problems in each year since 2001.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 30 October 2006
	The information requested is not collected according to prisoner domicile. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins) on 24 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1814W for the national statistics.

Crime Statistics

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recorded rate of crime was in Sunderland for  (a) burglary of dwellings,  (b) violence against the person,  (c) vehicle crime,  (d) robbery,  (e) sexual offences,  (f) total violent crime,  (g) theft and handling of stolen goods and  (h) criminal damage in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Since 1999-2000, data have been collected for Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) which are broadly equivalent to local authority areas. Available information for Sunderland CDRP is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Recorded crime per 1,000 population for Sunderland CDRP 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Burglary in a dwelling 11 10 10 11 8 7 5 
			 Violence against the person 11 11 14 23 21 19 19 
			 Vehicle crime 26 20 21 20 16 13 13 
			 Robbery 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Sexual offences 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Total violent crime 13 12 16 25 23 21 21 
			 Theft and handling of stolen goods n/a 40 45 48 43 35 33 
			 Criminal damage n/a 23 26 33 32 30 28 
			  Note: The introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002-03 means data not comparable with later years.

Criminal Injuries Compensation

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average waiting time was for a criminal injuries compensation claim to be processed in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority advise that the median average elapsed time from the date of receipt of an application to the issue of a decision to the applicant over the last 12 months was 305 days.

Criminal Justice

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the responses to his Department's public consultation document Criminal Justice System, Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate for Justice and Community Safety; how many  (a) supported and  (b) opposed his proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A summary of the responses to the consultation document 'Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate for Justice and Community Safety, March 2005' is to be found in the policy statement 'Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate of Justice, Community Safety and Custody, November 2005' at Annexe B, a copy of which was placed in the House Library.
	There were 83 written responses to the consultation document of which 40 supported the proposals, 29 were against and 14 did not make clear their preference.

Criminal Justice

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 are yet to come into force; and when he expects each to come into force.

John Reid: The information regarding provisions yet to come into force is provided in a table which I have placed in the House Library. It has not been possible to commence all 329 sections of the Act simultaneously as various sections are dependent upon a stage implementation of new procedures and practices. We expect that by the end of this year, the majority of the outstanding provisions will have been commenced.

Criminal Records

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people with a criminal record.

John Reid: The most up-to-date information on the proportion of the population with a criminal record is in Table 1 of "Criminal careers of those born between 1953 and 1978" which can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hosb401.pdf

Criminal Records

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disclosures have been issued by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) in each year since inception of the facility; and how many people have applied for CRB disclosures  (a) in total and  (b) in each year over the same period.

Joan Ryan: holding answer 6 November 2006
	Since the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) launched its Disclosure service in March 2002, it has received in excess of 11.4 million Disclosure applications. During the period March 2002 to the end of October 2006, the Bureau has issued over 10.8 million applications.
	The following table provides the breakdown as requested.
	
		
			  Calendar year  Receipts  Issued 
			 From March 2002 1,282,187 927,163 
			 2003 2,176,582 2,158,149 
			 2004 2,564,899 2,490,557 
			 2005 2,740,138 2,690,009 
			 To October 2006 2,649,406 2,590,346 
			 Total 11,413,212 10,856,224 
		
	
	The difference of 557,000 between those received and those issued is made up of a combination of applications that have been suspended or withdrawn and those that are work in progress.

Departmental Databases

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which databases controlled by his Department have had confirmed security breaches in each of the last nine years.

John Reid: holding answer 11 September 2006
	In the last nine years there have been four confirmed security breaches of the IPS Passport Application system (PASS) and one confirmed breach of a HMPS legacy database containing life sentence management data.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the expenditure was of his private office on  (a) entertainment,  (b) travel and  (c) overnight subsistence in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

John Reid: Information specific to the question is not held in the format requested. Hospitality and travel and subsistence costs for 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are listed in the following table.
	
		
			   Hospitality( 1)  Travel and Subsistence( 2) 
			 2003-04 61,383.60 216,616.03 
			 2004-05 128,710.67 334,661.22 
			 2005-06 50,118.87 434,929.32 
			 (1) Figure relates to total expenditure for all Private Offices  (2) Figure relates to travel and subsistence for the UK   Note: Accountancy procedures changed in the Home Office in 2004. Figures before this period can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on organising and hosting conferences in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The amount spent on conference activity in 2005-06 was £10,594,000. This included: events associated with 7 July 2005 London bombings; engagement with the Muslim communities; "Tackling Drugs: Changing Lives"; the Bichard Review; the EU Presidency; New Asylum Model and Rebalancing of Sentencing.

Departmental IT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of his Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Business  Database  Wholly externally operated  Partly externally operated  Owned by 
			 Criminal Records Bureau Customer relationship management (CRM). — Partly operated by private sector partner: Capita CRB 
			 National Offender Management Service Electronic drawing management system 4 Projects  NOMS 
			 Identity and Passport Service Passport application support system (PASS) — Siemens business services IPS 
			 IND E-Borders Databases — HMRC Home Office

Departmental Publications

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) educational and  (b) other materials about crime reduction his Department produces; and which of this information is available in a Welsh language version.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office produces a wide range of materials, all designed to educate the public about crime reduction, particularly with regard to the following types of crime:
	 (1) Acquisitive crime (robbery, burglary and car theft):
	National TV, radio and poster adverts; leaflets, posters, stickers, videos and cassettes for the elderly containing advice for avoiding becoming a victim of distraction burglary; leaflets and posters about car, cycle, bike, truck, caravan, boat and plant theft; leaflets and posters containing advice for improving home security; leaflets, booklets, posters and stickers to support Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch organisations; leaflets, postcards and posters aimed at retail and business offering advice on premises security; leaflets, posters and door hangers aimed at students educating them about keeping property secure.
	 (2) Child protection on the internet:
	Regional radio and online advertising; a leaflet for parents containing advice for keeping children's internet usage safe.
	 (3) Domestic violence:
	Regional radio, press and outdoor poster advertising encouraging witnesses to report domestic violence; a leaflet for victims explaining their rights and sources for help; posters for victims, perpetrators and witnesses aimed at a general audience, as well as the British Minority Ethnic and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual communities, promoting the helpline.
	 (4) Alcohol harm reduction (England):
	TV, cinema, radio, poster, press and online adverts aimed at binge drinkers, highlighting the role that alcohol plays in increasing violent crime and sexual assault; leaflets containing personal safety messages in relation to alcohol.
	 (5) A leaflet "Be Safe, Be Secure":
	Available in multiple languages and summarises the content of all of the resources listed above.
	Where marketing materials cover both England and Wales, we ensure that a Welsh language version is available.

Departmental Staff

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of staff in  (a) the Prison Service,  (b) the Identity and Passport Office and  (c) the Forensic Science Service were (i) women, (ii) from ethnic minorities and (ii) foreign nationals in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The current (2006) figures for  (a) HM Prison Service,  (b) Identity and Passport Service, and  (c) the Forensic Science Service are in the table.
	The number of EU foreign nationals employed by the HM Prison Service is not recorded centrally. The Forensic Science Service is a limited Governmental Company and ceased to be a Home Office Agency in December 2005. The foreign national figures for IDPS and FSS include EU Nationals.
	The current (2006) figures for  (a) HM Prison Service,  (b) Identity and Passport Service, and  (c) the Forensic Science Service are as follows:
	
		
			   (i) Women  (ii) Ethnic minority  (iii) Foreign national 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			  (a) HMPS 16,938 35 2,840 6 — — 
			  (b) IPS 2,499 63.90 535 13.70 25 0.64 
			  (c) FSS 1,493 57.90 393 15.25 37 1.43

Departmental Staff

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will  (a) carry out an audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce,  (b) negotiate an age management policy with trade unions and employees to eliminate age discrimination and retain older workers,  (c) identify and support training needs and offer older staff flexible working to downshift towards retirement and  (d) extend to over-fifties the right to request to work flexibly and the right to training with paid time off; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff and aims not to discriminate on the grounds of a person's age.
	 (a) The department has carried out an age audit of its staff to establish an age profile of its workforce.
	 (b) When equality impact assessing policies and actions to eliminate age discrimination, the department consults trade unions and employees as appropriate.
	 (c) Training is available for staff of all ages, including pre retirement courses for older workers to help them prepare for retirement.
	 (d) The department offers a range of flexible working opportunities to enable staff of all ages to balance their work and home life.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department recognises the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Liam Byrne: The Prison Service does not currently recognise the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment, but is currently considering its position in this respect. The remainder of the Home Office, which includes Immigration and Nationality Directorate but not its Agencies, does recognise the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of vacancies in his Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office, which includes Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the Prison Service but not its agencies does, in some circumstances, require candidates applying for posts to have specific qualifications which may include GCSEs. However we could only supply comprehensive information about the proportion of vacancies advertised in the last 12 months that required at least grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE at disproportionate cost.

Deportation

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2006,  Official Report, columns 632-33W, on deportation, where in the written statement and the letter from the Director of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate the information requested concerning foreign national prisoner release from  (a) HMP Lancaster and  (b) Lancaster Farms Young Offender Institution is contained; and where in the written statement of 23 May 2006 the information is contained which answers questions (i) 73679 and (ii) 73622.

Liam Byrne: The Home Secretary explained in his oral statement of 9 October on the prison estate that the Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate had written to the Home Affairs Committee on the same day. This letter contains a progress update on the 1,013 cases released without deportation consideration and has the most accurate and robust data the Department currently holds on the 1,013 foreign national prisoner cohort. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library of the House.
	Information on the particular prisons which the 1,013 foreign national prisoners were released from is not currently held centrally and would only be available through examination of individual case files.
	In respect of the hon. Gentleman's question 73622, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made clear in his evidence to the Home Affairs Committee on 23 May 2006 that the first time there was any ministerial awareness of the problems concerning the release of foreign national prisoners without deportation consideration was on 17 March 2006 when my predecessor received information on this.
	In answer to 73679, at the same evidence session the Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate outlined the role of the Criminal Casework Team who have responsibility for ensuring those foreign national prisoners currently serving criminal sentences are fully considered for deportation before release.

Disclosure to Defendants

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the codes of practice issued under the  (a) Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and  (b) Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 relating to the disclosure of information to defendants; what changes have been made to each since their original publication date; which have been subject to (i) a review and (ii) a public consultation by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 Codes of Practice require specific information to be given to persons or suspects in the course of the exercise of police powers under PACE.
	PACE and the Codes of Practice were subject to a joint Home Office and Cabinet Office Review in 2002. Information on the 2002 Review is available on the Home Office website. On 20 July 2006 the Home Secretary published his plans to reform the Criminal Justice System in "Re-balancing the Criminal Justice System in Favour of the Law-Abiding Majority" which includes proposals to carry out a review of PACE and the Codes of Practice. The Home Office will shortly be publishing a consultation paper covering the proposed scope and format of the review. The consultation paper will be made available on the Home Office website.
	The following table sets out the revisions to the PACE Codes. Before issuing a Code, section 67 of PACE requires the Secretary of State to consult with relevant interested parties.
	The Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act (CPIA) 1996 Code of Practice covers the disclosure of unused prosecution material to defendants . The original Code came into force on 1 April 1997 and applies to criminal investigations begun on or after that date. A revised code was developed to take account of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 amendments to the CPIA, and a draft code was subject to public consultation in September 2004. This document is available on the Home Office website. Following the consultation the amended code was debated in the House of Commons on 15 March 2005 and in Grand Committee of the House of Lords on 22 March 2005. The code was commenced on 4 April 2005 and applies to criminal investigations begun on or after that date.
	
		
			  SI year/number  Date  Effect 
			 SI 2005/3503 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2005 1 January 2006 Brings into force revised PACE Codes A to E and new Code G on Arrest take effect 
			 SI 2005/602 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Revisions to Code C) Order 2005 1 April 2005 Extends modifications to PACE Codes C and D re drug testing under s.636 PACE to specified police areas 
			 SI 2004/1887 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 2004 1 August 2004 Bring into force revised PACE Codes A to F 
			 SI 2004/1503 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Remote Reviews of Detention) (Specified Police Stations) (Revocation) Regulations 2004 1 July 2004 Revokes SI 2003/2397 regulations for remote reviews of detention under S.45A PACE applicable in specified police areas 
			 SI 2004/78 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Modifications to Codes C and D) (Certain Police Areas) (Amendment) Order 2004 1 April 2004 Extends modifications to PACE Codes C and D re drug testing under S.63B PACE to specified police areas 
			 SI 2003/2463 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Visual Recording of Interviews) (Certain Police Areas) (Revocation) Order 2003 1 November 2003 Revokes PACE Code F and requirement re visual recording of interviews in specified police areas 
			 SI 2003/2397 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Remote Reviews of Detention) (Specified Police Stations) Regulations 2003 1 November 2003 Introduced regulations for remote reviews of detention under S.45A PACE applicable in specified police areas 
			 SI 2003/705 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Code E) Order 2003 1 April 2003 Brings into effect revised PACE Code E re audio tape recording of interviews 
			 SI 2003/704 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Modifications to Codes C and D) (Certain Police Areas) Order 2003 1 April 2003 Extends modifications to PACE Codes C and D (SI 2001/2254) re drug testing under S.63B PACE to specified police areas 
			 SI 2003/703 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Codes B to E) (No 2) Order 2003 1 April 2003 Brings into effect revised PACE Codes B to E 
			 SI 2002/3075 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Statutory Powers of Stop and Search) Order 2002 1 April 2003 Brings into effect a revised PACE Code A (Stop and Search) 
			 SI 2002/2527 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Visual Recording of Interviews) (Certain Police Areas) (No 2) Order 2002 30 October 2002 Extends PACE Code F re visual recording of interviews (SI 2002/1069) to specified police areas 
			 SI 2002/1863 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Modifications to Code C and Code D) (Certain Police Areas) (Amendment) Order 2002 2 September 2002 Extends modifications to PACE Codes C and D (SI 2001/2254) re drug testing under s.63B PACE to specified police areas 
			 SI 2002/1266 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Visual Recording of Interviews) Order 2002 7 May 2002 Brings into effect new PACE Code F re visual recording of interviews 
			 SI 2002/1150 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Modifications to Code C and Code D) (Certain Police Areas) Order 2002 20 May 2002 Extends modifications to PACE Codes C and D (SI 2001/2254) re drug testing under s.63B PACE to specified police areas 
			 SI 2002/1069 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Visual Recording of Interviews) (Certain Police Areas) Order 2002 8 May 2002 Requires visual recording of interviews in accordance with PACE Code F in specified police areas 
			 SI 2002/615 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Temporary Modifications to Code D) Order 2002 1 April 2002 Brings into effect modifications to PACE Code D to enable greater use of video witness identification procedures 
			 SI 2001/2645 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Drug Testing of Persons in Police Detention) (Prescribed Persons) Regulations 2001 19 July 2001 Introduces regulations re person authorised to carry out drug testing under S.63B PACE 
			 SI 2001/2480 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Tape-recording of Interviews) (Amendment) Order 2001 1 August 2001 Amends PACE Code E to remove an exemption re offences for which audio tape recording of interviews is required 
			 SI 2001/2254 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Modification) Order 2001 16 July 2001 Modifies PACE Codes C and D re drug testing under s.636 PACE in specified police areas 
			 SI 1999/291 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice No 5) Order 1999 1 March 1999 Brings into effect a revised PACE Code A (Stop and Search) Codes of Practice 
			 S1 1997/1159 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice No 4) Order 1997 15 May 1997 Brings into effect a revised PACE Code A (Stop and Search) 
			 S1 1995/450 The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (No. 3) Order 1995 10 April 1995 Brings into effect revised PACE Codes A to E 
			 S1 1990/2580 The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (No. 2) Order 1990 1 April 1991 Bring into effect revised PACE Codes A to D 
			 S1 1988/1200 The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) Order 1988 By area 20 July 1988 Brings into effect PACE Code on Tape Recording of interviews of suspects 
			 S1 1985/1937 The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (No. 1) Order 1985 1 January 1986 Brings into effect PACE Codes A to D

DNA Expansion Plan

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of the DNA Expansion Plan in the Library of the House.

John Reid: The DNA Expansion Programme 2000-05: Reporting Achievement was published on 4 January 2006, as the House was in recess, copies of the report were placed in both House Libraries on 9 January 2006.

Drug Offenders

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for  (a) possession and  (b) possession with intent to supply the drug crystal methamphetamine have taken place in the last six months.

Vernon Coaker: The requested information is not available. Data collected centrally includes offences involving crystal methamphetamine within the 'other class B drugs' grouping, from which specific drug types cannot be separately identified.

Drug Offenders

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of drugs offences in the East Midlands in each of the last six years.

Vernon Coaker: Available information relates to the number of persons cautioned and found guilty of offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and has been included in the area tables of annual Home Office drug offender publications.
	Data for Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire police force areas, for the period 1999 to 2004, are provided. Data for 2005 are expected to be published in the spring of 2007.
	
		
			  (a) Persons cautioned for drug offences by police force area and year, East Midlands 
			  Number of persons 
			  Police force area  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Derbyshire 473 322 273 279 131 148 
			 Leicestershire 461 380 300 1,039 422 617 
			 Lincolnshire 149 70 278 462 271 191 
			 Northamptonshire 539 473 437 956 456 500 
			 Nottinghamshire 562 575 572 1,367 773 594 
			 Total East Midlands Region 2,184 1,820 1,860 4,103 2,053 2,050 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Persons found guilty( 1)  for drug offences by police force area and year, East Midlands 
			  Number of persons 
			  Police force area  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Derbyshire 788 734 737 1,481 749 732 
			 Leicestershire 776 756 823 1,867 975 892 
			 Lincolnshire 468 382 645 1,107 637 470 
			 Northamptonshire 527 446 322 515 272 243 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,266 1,292 1,159 2,623 1,378 1,245 
			 Total East Midlands Region 3,825 3,610 3,686 7,593 4,011 3,582 
			 (1 )Offenders dealt with for more than one drug offence at the same court appearance are counted only once in the table above.

Drug Seizures

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) quantity and  (b) types of illegal drugs were seized at East Midlands airport in the last 28 days; how many arrests have been made in connection therewith; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The requested data cannot be provided as to publish location specific statistics on seizures would make strategically valuable information available to criminal organizations.
	Latest drug seizure figures for England and Wales relate to calendar year 2004. These were published as an internet-only Home Office Statistical Bulletin and can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbpubs1.html.
	HM Revenue and Customs also publishes drug seizure data within its annual report, the latest of which relates to financial year 2004-05. This can be found online via www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm.

Drugs Convictions

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of supplying  (a) Class A,  (b) Class B,  (c) Class C and  (d) Class D drugs in each of the last five years; and how many were subsequently given the maximum possible sentence.

Vernon Coaker: The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 classifies illegal substances into three categories: class A, class B and class C. Available data relate to persons found guilty of unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply drug offences between 2000 and 2004 and are given in the tables.
	Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, police forces and other agencies. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when the data are used.
	
		
			  Table 1: persons( 1)  (i) found guilty of drug supply offences and (ii) number given maximum sentence at Crown court, class A drugs, by offence type and year, England and Wales—Class A drugs 
			  Number of persons 
			   2000  2001  2002 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (life)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (life)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (life) 
			  Cocaine   
			 Unlawful supply 428 0 188 0 558 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 594 0 184 0 820 0 
			
			  Crack   
			 Unlawful supply 195 0 188 0 213 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 179 0 187 0 282 0 
			
			  Heroin   
			 Unlawful supply 1,598 9 1,434 0 1,483 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 1,399 0 1,331 0 1,286 0 
			
			  Ecstasy-type   
			 Unlawful supply 540 o 524 0 484 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 1,106 0 1,219 0 1,056 0 
			
			  LSD   
			 Unlawful supply 22 0 3 0 7 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 42 0 19 0 13 0 
			
			  Methadone   
			 Unlawful supply 36 0 20 0 19 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 31 0 9 0 8 0 
			
			  Other class A   
			 Unlawful supply 227 0 459 0 469 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 221 0 260 0 258 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons 
			   2003  2004 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (life)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (life) 
			  Cocaine 
			 Unlawful supply 734 0 723 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 1,071 0 1,194 0 
			  
			  Crack 
			 Unlawful supply 356 0 465 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 433 0 433 0 
			  
			  Heroin 
			 Unlawful supply 1,641 1 1,773 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 1,607 0 1,596 1 
			  
			  Ecstasy-type 
			 Unlawful supply 325 0 270 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 921 0 790 0 
			  
			  LSD 
			 Unlawful supply 5 0 0 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 14 0 21 0 
			  
			  Methadone 
			 Unlawful supply 19 0 25 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 15 0 9 0 
			  
			  Other class A 
			 Unlawful supply 605 0 614 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 289 0 281 0 
			 (1) As the same person may be found guilty of more than one offence, rows cannot be added together to produce totals. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: persons( 1)  (i) found guilty of drug supply offences and (ii) number given maximum sentence at crown court, class B drugs, by offence type4 and year, England and Wales—Class B drugs 
			  Number of persons 
			   2000  2001  2002 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years) 
			  Amphetamines   
			 Unlawful supply 396 0 161 0 154 1 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 706 0 405 0 404 0 
			
			  Cannabis( 2)   
			 Unlawful supply 1,541 0 990 0 957 1 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 3,093 0 2,121 0 2,030 0 
			
			  Other class B   
			 Unlawful supply 96 0 96 0 126 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 130 o 107 0 100 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons 
			   2003  2004 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years) 
			  Amphetamines 
			 Unlawful supply 161 0 143 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 431 0 494 0 
			  
			  Cannabis( 2) 
			 Unlawful supply 834 0 — — 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 2,143 0 — — 
			  
			  Other class B 
			 Unlawful supply 114 0 80 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 102 0 71 0 
			 (1) As the same person may be found guilty of more than one offence, rows cannot be added together to produce totals. (2) Cannabis was reclassified as a class C drug from January 2004. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: persons( 1)  (i) found guilty of drug supply offences and (ii) number given maximum sentence at crown court, class C drugs, by offence type and year, England and Wales—Class C drugs 
			  Number of persons 
			   2000  2001  2002 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years) 
			  Anabolic steroids   
			 Unlawful supply 0 0 3 0 2 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 0 0 1 0 5 0 
			
			  Cannabis( 2)   
			 Unlawful supply — — — — — — 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully — — — — — — 
			
			  GHB( 3)   
			 Unlawful supply — — — — — — 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully — — — — — — 
			
			  Other class C   
			 Unlawful supply 68 0 63 0 59 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 68 0 63 0 86 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of persons 
			   2003  2004 
			  Drug and offence type  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years)  Found guilty  Maximum sentence (14 years) 
			  Anabolic steroids 
			 Unlawful supply 5 0 4 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 3 0 6 0 
			  
			  Cannabis( 2) 
			 Unlawful supply — — 698 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully — — 1,804 0 
			  
			  GHB( 3) 
			 Unlawful supply 0 0 0 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 0 0 0 0 
			  
			  Other class C 
			 Unlawful supply 53 0 183 0 
			 Possession with intent to supply unlawfully 77 0 417 0 
			 (1) As the same person may be found guilty of more than one offence, rows cannot be added together to produce totals. (2) Cannabis was reclassified as a class C drug from January 2004. (3) GHB became controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in July 2003.

e-Crime Co-ordination Unit

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he expects the E-Crime Co-ordination Unit to be established;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of how the proposed e-Crime Co-ordination Unit will  (a) operate and  (b) co-operate with the (i) Metropolitan police, (ii) Serious Organised Crime Agency and (iii) National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre; and how he expects the E-Crime Co-ordination Unit to be (A) formed, (B) operated and (C) incorporated into (1) Scotland Yard, (2) the Serious Organised Crime Agency and (3) the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre.

Vernon Coaker: I understand that ACPO are carrying out some work to determine what capacity there is in police forces in England and Wales to deal with e-crime and what gaps exist. Part of that work involves scoping what value might be added by some form of co-ordination unit. I will meet ACPO representatives to discuss our response to e-crime, as soon as the initial findings of this work are ready. As part of that discussion, we will consider with ACPO the role that SOCA, the Metropolitan police and other police forces, NISCC and other relevant organisations play in relation to e-crime now and in the future.

Election Leaflets

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 2 May 2006,  Official Report, column 445W, on general election leaflets, when the Minister for Policing will write to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 17 July 2006
	I wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 7 November.

Entry Refusals

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people seeking entry to the UK in the last three months have been refused entry on the grounds that they might  (a) commit criminal acts and  (b) incite others to do so.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available.

Ethnic Gangs

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been undertaken into how to tackle ethnic gangs in England and Wales.

Vernon Coaker: There has been very little robust research undertaken on how to tackle gangs in England and Wales and the information which has been published tends to provide information about how to tackle gang related activity in general rather than providing specific recommendations on how to tackle ethnic gangs.
	A review of the international published robust evidence on how to reduce gang related violence provides some recommendations on how to tackle gang related violence in general. The report is called: "Evidence Based Approaches to Reducing Gang Violence:" a rapid evidence assessment for Aston and Handsworth Operational Group (2004) Butler, G., Hodgkinson, J., Holmes, E. and Marshall, S and it is available online on the Government Social Research website.

Extradition

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries do not have to provide prima facie evidence when applying for the extradition of a person from the United Kingdom.

Joan Ryan: There are currently 48 territories that do not have to provide prima facie evidence in support of extradition requests made to the UK. These are:
	Albania
	Andorra
	Armenia
	Australia
	Austria
	Azerbaijan
	Belgium
	Bulgaria
	Canada
	Croatia
	Cyprus
	Czech Republic
	Denmark
	Estonia
	Finland
	France
	Georgia
	Germany
	Greece
	Hungary
	Iceland
	Ireland
	Israel
	Italy
	Latvia
	Liechtenstein
	Lithuania
	Luxembourg
	Macedonia FYR
	Malta
	Moldova
	The Netherlands
	New Zealand
	Norway
	Poland
	Portugal
	Romania
	Russian Federation
	Serbia and Montenegro
	Slovakia
	Slovenia
	South Africa
	Spain
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Turkey
	Ukraine
	United States of America.

Extradition

Dawn Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the European Convention on Extradition contains provisions to refuse extradition if any of the conduct concerned was carried out in the state from which extradition is requested.

Joan Ryan: Article seven of the European Convention on Extradition (ECE) allows for refusal of extradition where some or all of the conduct was committed in the requested state. The UK chose not to incorporate this safeguard into its legislation when it became a party to the ECE in 1991, a policy which was unchanged in the Extradition Act 2003. Article seven provides only a discretionary ground for refusal, but it carries the danger that a person wanted for possibly serious cross-border offences could escape justice altogether. The UK operates a slightly different safeguard, which is to require that dual criminality is satisfied where a request is considered for conduct committed outside the requesting state. Section 137(3) of the 2003 Extradition Act provides:
	"The conduct also constitutes an extradition offence in relation to the category two territory if these conditions are satisfied:
	 (a) the conduct occurs outside the category two territory;
	 (b) the conduct is punishable under the law of the category two territory with imprisonment or another form of detention for a term of 12 months or a greater punishment (however it is described in that law);
	 (c) in corresponding circumstances equivalent conduct would constitute an extra-territorial offence under the law of the relevant part of the United Kingdom punishable with imprisonment or another form of detention for a term of 12 months or a greater punishment."
	Both the 1989 and 2003 Acts however provide that, were a UK authority to mount a prosecution in relation to the conduct for which extradition was sought, the extradition process would be halted, pending the outcome of the domestic proceedings. Where the rules on double jeopardy applied extradition would not take place.

Firearms

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a central record of the numbers of firearms  (a) seized and  (b) disposed of by police services in England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: The new forensics system, the National Ballistics Intelligence Database, currently being developed by the Association of Chief Police Officers, with support from the Home Office, will provide an end-to-end system for the recording of recoveries of firearms and will also account for their means of disposal. The system is currently in the design and development phase, with commitment to delivery by April 2008.

Food Processing/Agricultural Sectors

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which organisations have been consulted on the decision to exempt the food processing and agricultural sectors from the work permit restrictions applying to Romania and Bulgaria on their accession to the European Union in January 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 1 November 2006
	It is not that the food processing and agricultural sectors will not have been exempted from the work permit restrictions applying to Romanian and Bulgarian workers Romania and Bulgaria on those countries' accession to the EU. Bulgarian and Romanian workers' access to low skilled employment in those sectors will continue to be regulated through Rather, the existing, quota-based Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) and the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS). are pre-existing schemes that will continue beyond 1 January 2007. The 'standstill clause' of the Accession agreement with Romania and Bulgaria means that we may not make access to our labour market more restrictive than it was when the Accession Treaty was signed, on the 16 April 2003. Therefore, we must continue make these schemes available to Romanian and Bulgarian nationals. The principle of 'Community Preference' means that when a job is offered to an overseas national, citizens of member states must be given priority over people from non-EU countries.
	Current Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme Operators and the National Farmers Union were consulted to discuss the impacts of Romania and Bulgaria's accession and to explain how this will affect the existing schemes. We will continue to work closely with these and other interested bodies between now and when Accession takes place on 1 January 2006.

Foreign Criminals

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 643W, on foreign criminals, in what part of the letter to the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee the information requested in the questions is contained.

Liam Byrne: I have written separately to the hon. Gentleman about the reply he received on 29 June to his question 67478.

Foreign Criminals

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what operations established to find and detain released foreign national offenders have been cancelled; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 11 September 2006
	The Secretary of State for the Home Department explained in his oral statement of 9 October on the prison estate that the Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate had written to the Home Affairs Committee on the same day. This letter contains a progress update on the 1,013 cases released without deportation consideration and also further information on the enforcement resources used in dealing with these cases.
	A copy of this letter has been made available in the Library of the House.

Foreign Criminals

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were being held in prisons in England and Wales as of August.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of foreign prisoners held in prison establishments in England and Wales on 31 August 2006 was 10,970.
	This figure was drawn from administrative IT systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and so is not necessarily accurate to the last whole number.

Government Social Research Service

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of the Government Social Research Service in his Department in each of the last five years; how many projects have been completed by the service in that period; and how many people are employed in the service in his Department.

Joan Ryan: Government Social Research Service researchers are employed across government departments and in the devolved administrations. Staff are employed by the Home Office rather than the GSR service and GSR members are employed in multi-disciplinary analytic teams across the Department. Therefore it is not possible to separately identify the projects undertaken by the GSR service in the Home Office or their associated costs.
	Records of the number of GSR members employed by the Home Office are not available for all the years requested. However the number of GSR members at the end of March 2004 and 2005 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Members of the Government Social Research Service employed by the Home Office 
			   Number of GSR members 
			 2004 291 
			 2005 223

Home Detention Curfews

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) of 17 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1037W, on home detention curfew, how many offenders released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme did not have an electronic tag fitted at the second attempt; and how many of these  (a) were recalled to prison and  (b) absconded.

John Reid: The answer to the hon. Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) stated that a total of 1,244 offenders released on home detention curfew between 1 April 2005 and 30 April 2006 did not have an electronic tag fitted on the day of release. We have now established that the number of offenders was over-stated and should have been given as 1,119. The previous, incorrect, figure arose because of errors in recording and reporting statistics by one of the electronic monitoring companies, G4S.
	As a result, the figure of 1,039 cases given in that answer where the tag was not fitted because the offender was not present or the monitoring company was refused access is also incorrect. We have re-calculated this figure using the latest figures from both monitoring companies. These take account of earlier recording and reporting errors, and also a re-classification by G4S of the reasons for not fitting the tag in each case. The figure should have been reduced to 708.
	The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Sutcliffe), has written to the hon. Member to apologise for these errors and has placed a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.
	Of the corrected figure of 1,119 offenders, the monitoring companies' records show that a total of 141 did not have the tag fitted on the second attempt.
	We do not collate and record centrally the particular reason for a recall at the level of detail which allows identification of those recalled just for two unsuccessful attempts at fitting the tag. To track these cases through the system, and state definitively how many were recalled to prison for that reason, and how many of that specific sub-set remain unlawfully at large would require a manual check of each case file. This could not be done without disproportionate cost, and would necessitate removing caseworkers from the business of recalling offenders to carry out the work.
	The police are routinely notified of all offenders who are subject to recall, and are unlawfully at large.

Humberside Police

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the steps necessary to improve the performance of Humberside Police; if he will make more resources available to the force; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 30 October 2006
	The Police Performance Assessments for 2005-06 that the Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published on 24 October 2006 showed that Humberside Police had delivered notable performance improvements against the previous year. Whereas in 2004-05, the force was awarded five "Poor" grades and two "Fair" grades in the overall assessment, in 2005-06 it achieved five "Fair" grades, with better grades seen in three areas—Reducing Crime, Investigating Crime and Citizen Focus.
	The Home Office Police Standards Unit and HMIC have agreed a programme of performance improvement work with the force and its police authority, the tangible results of which are evident in the published assessments. The Police Standards Unit continues to provide assistance to the force, both in terms of professional expertise and targeted additional resources (the latter totalling over £2 million to date).

Identity Cards

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the estimated cost is of the implementation of the identity cards system to  (a) members of the Association of British National Insurers,  (b) members of the UK Payments Association,  (c) the Audit Commission,  (d) members of the British Bankers' Association,  (e) members of the Building Societies Association,  (f) members of CIFAS,  (g) the telecommunications sector and  (h) members of the Finance and Leasing Association; and what estimate of savings from the potential reductions in fraud arising from the use of identity cards has been made in each case;
	(2)  what estimate his Department has made of the costs of implementing identity cards to  (a) HM Revenue and Customs,  (b) the Home Office,  (c) local authorities,  (d) police services,  (e) the UK Passport Service,  (f) the Department for Constitutional Affairs,  (g) the Department of Work and Pensions,  (h) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and  (i) Driving Standards Agency; and what estimate has been made of savings arising from reduced fraud due to identity cards in each case.

Joan Ryan: The Home Office reported to Parliament about the likely future costs of the ID cards scheme on 9 October. The cost of issuing passports and ID cards, including set up costs, is estimated to be £5.4 billion in the 10 years from October 2006. This does not include costs falling to other organisations using ID cards to verify identities. The decision to use ID cards is for each organisation, based on its assessment of the benefits and costs for its particular business. Costs will depend on the types of identity check that each organisation wishes to make and the infrastructure it already has in place or plans to put in place to use identity verification services.
	The total quantifiable financial benefits of the scheme once it is fully rolled out that can currently be estimated range from £1 billion to £1.7 billion per annum. The benefits arising from reduced fraud are estimated to be in the range of £550 million to £980 million per annum, of which benefits to private sector organisations are estimated to be in the range of £321 million to £518 million per annum.

Identity Cards

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what distance identity cards produced under ISO standard 14443A can be read.

Joan Ryan: The international standards (ISO 14443) do not set out the distances at which cards should be readable but rather set the minimum and maximum power of the magnetic and electric field strengths required to comply with the standards. These field strengths are such that data exchange is possible at a distance between the reader and the card of a few centimetres.

Identity Cards

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 July 2006,  Official Report, column 553W, on identity cards, how much has been spent since May 2006.

John Reid: £11.9 million has been spent on the identity cards programme since May 2006 until the end of September 2006 which is the latest date for which figures are currently available.

Identity Cards

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated capital set up costs are of the Identity Card scheme.

Joan Ryan: The first cost estimates report for the Identity Cards scheme, which was laid before Parliament on nine October, published for the first time resource set-up cost estimates for providing passports and ID cards to British and Irish citizens resident in the UK from October 2006 to October 2016. Capital set up cost estimates were not shown explicitly as they are the most commercially sensitive part of the estimates. These estimates were accounted for in the total costs over 10 years by including in the operating cost estimate the annual depreciation charges for capital investment. Clause 37 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 allows the Secretary of State to exclude any matter from the report to Parliament which appears to him would be prejudicial to securing best value from the use of public money.

Identity Cards

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated annual cost is of the maintenance and operation of the infrastructure for the Identity Card scheme.

Joan Ryan: The Identity Cards scheme is being designed to build on the existing infrastructure and processes for issuing passports in the Identity and Passport Service. In order to reduce risk and avoid a "big-bang" implementation, the scheme will be delivered incrementally. This means that the costs of issuing and upgrading passports are very closely interlinked to those of introducing identity cards.
	Splitting the annual maintenance and operational costs of the passport programme and identity cards scheme would be a largely theoretical exercise as current plans are for an integrated infrastructure. However we do estimate that around 70 per cent. of the £5.1 billion operating costs over the 10 years from October 2006 to October 2016 would be incurred in the issuing of new generation biometric passports. The remaining 30 per cent. represents the incremental costs of operating and maintaining the Identity Cards scheme though it relies on using the same technical and office infrastructure.

Identity Fraud

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training the Department has provided for  (a) front desk and  (b) administrative staff in relation to identity fraud.

Joan Ryan: Within the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), all Passport Officers, both administrative and front office, receive passport fraud awareness training as part of their initial induction. The training includes identifying attempts to obtain a passport where the applicant is not entitled to one, by reviewing documentation, photographs and the application forms. The focus is placed upon identifying key indicators of fraud.
	Passport officers are assessed on their competence and are required to achieve a minimum standard of knowledge. The induction training is supported by desk training provided by line managers who guide passport officers through practical examples of fraud cases.
	IPS also has a team of accredited fraud investigation staff working in its fraud and intelligence units (FIDs) within each IPS regional office.These investigators have specialist training in identifying and investigation of fraud. Instances of suspected passport fraud identified by passport officers are referred to FIU teams to determine whether or not fraud has taken place. The IPS central fraud intelligence unit also has a role in detecting and dealing with any cases of suspected or actual internal fraud.
	IPS human resources and security staff are also trained in and are responsible for increasingly rigorous processes to establish the identity of new staff and for managing the security vetting process.
	IPS is introducing specialist interviewing staff as part of the authentication by interview (Abl) initiative. These interview staff will receive training on processes established to authenticate the identity of passport applicants. In some instances this may lead to identifying suspected fraudulent applications. The Abl process will include training to develop skills in establishing a biographical footprint, questioning and assessing the answers provided by passport applicants.
	Within IND, in terms of identification of travel document abuse, the national document fraud unit (NDFU) has responsibility for training in identity fraud. Basic level training is provided to all new immigration officers by the IND college. Once at border control offices local training, concentrating on the documents most abused at the individual locations, is conducted by port forgery teams. This can include training on imposters (or look-alikes) who attempt to pose as the genuine document holder.
	More specialist training at intermediate and advanced level training is delivered by the NDFU. At intermediate level the NDFU offers two-day courses to border control, enforcement and managed migration staff who have worked in those directorates for several years and who therefore have experience of handling travel documents on a regular basis. The unit offers advanced level attachments of ten weeks duration to experienced staff from the same directorates who have an interest in developing their document fraud knowledge still further. Those officers can then return to their own offices with a significant level of forgery knowledge and expertise. For those very experienced staff who wish to update themselves on new trends the NDFU offers a two-day advanced course.
	The NDFU also provides basic awareness training to all new foreign office entry clearance officers and has recently commenced a focused programme of training on travel document abuse at high risk posts in entry clearance sections worldwide.

Identity Fraud

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what internal training courses on tackling identity fraud are provided to departmental staff who have access to members of the public's personal information.

Joan Ryan: Within the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), all passport officers have access to personal information supplied by members of the public. All officers receive passport fraud awareness training as part of their initial induction. The training includes identifying attempts to obtain a passport where the applicant is not entitled to one, by reviewing documentation, photographs and the application forms. The focus is placed upon identifying key indicators of fraud. Passport officers are assessed on their competence and are required to achieve a minimum standard of knowledge. The induction training is supported by desk training provided by line managers who guide passport officers through practical examples of fraud cases.
	IPS also has a team of accredited fraud investigation staff working in its Fraud and Intelligence Units (FlUs) within each IPS regional office. These investigators have specialist training in identifying and investigation of passport fraud. All instances of suspected passport fraud identified by passport officers are referred to FIUs to determine whether or not fraud has taken place. The IPS Central Fraud and Security Unit also has a role in detecting and dealing with any cases of suspected or actual internal fraud.
	IPS is introducing specialist interviewing staff as part of the Authentication by Interview (AbI) initiative. These interview staff will receive training on processes established to authenticate the identity of passport applicants. In some instances this may lead to identifying suspected fraudulent applications. The AbI process will include training to develop skills in establishing a biographical footprint, questioning and assessing the answers provided by passport applicants.
	Basic level training in identification of travel document abuse is provided to all new immigration officers. Port forgery teams then provide local training, concentrating on the documents most abused at the individual locations. This can include training on imposters (or look-alikes) who attempt to pose as the genuine document holder.
	National Document Fraud Unit (NDFU) offers further specialist to experienced border control, enforcement and managed migration staff: two day intermediate level courses and 10 week advanced attachments.
	NDFU also provides basic awareness training to all new Foreign Office entry clearance officers and has recently commenced a focused programme of training on travel document abuse at high risk posts in entry clearance sections worldwide.

Intercept Evidence

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to the use of electronic intercept evidence in court.

Tony McNulty: The Government are continuing to look very closely at the possibility of changing the law to permit the evidential use of intercept material. There is a clear Government commitment to this work but also recognition of the need to protect our intercept capability, particularly in the light of changing technology and to avoid placing disproportionate burdens on intercepting agency resources. The Home Office is leading work on two legal models: a 'PII Plus' model which seeks to protect sensitive material primarily with public interest immunity with the defendant's interests being protected by special advocates; and an 'examining magistrates' model based on the French system. Officials will report in November.

Intercept Evidence

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to allow intercept evidence to be used in court.

John Reid: As I informed the House during the debate on the Intelligence and Security Committee annual report on 11 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1312, the Home Office is undertaking a further review of this issue. A report will be made to Ministers in due course.

Internet Crime

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to raise public awareness of internet crime.

Vernon Coaker: Education is a major challenge in tackling the growing risk of internet crime. The Get Safe Online campaign, which is now in its second year, is the UK's first national internet security awareness campaign. It is a joint public and private sector initiative to raise awareness of internet security among the general public and micro-businesses. Its website, www.getsafeonline.org , provides simple, reliable and practical security advice on a range of topics including: how to install anti-virus software, protect your privacy, how to shop and use online auctions safely. The Government are a sponsor of the campaign along with SOCA, BT, eBay, HSBC, Microsoft, and secure Trading.
	The recent Get Safe Online Week, which commenced with an internet safety summit on 9 October, involved a series of events, roadshows and training sessions nationwide. For example, experts were on hand in shopping centres in eight cities to give the public face to face advice and information on how to protect themselves online.
	We also work closely with a wide range of stakeholders on this issue, for example through the Home Secretary's Task Force on Child Protection on the internet.

Internet Pornography

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on restricting internet pornography since January; how many  (a) supported and  (b) opposed restrictions; how many and what percentage were written by (i) hon. Members, (ii) organisations and (iii) members of the public; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The information is not held in the form requested.
	The available information shows that 145 letters and emails have been received on the subject of pornography since January 2006. Of these, 77 (53 per cent.) letters have been received from Members of Parliament and a further 68 (47 per cent.) letters and emails were received directly from the public.
	Records do not show whether the views of the correspondents supported or opposed restrictions on pornography, either on the internet or elsewhere.

Internet Pornography

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) males and  (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of accessing child pornography on the internet in (A) Southend, (B) Essex and (C) England and Wales in the last 12 months, broken down by age.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to identify from data collected by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform, those prosecutions, or convictions which relate to accessing of child pornography on the internet as the data is not collected centrally.
	Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of  (a) males and  (b) females, broken down by age that have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of distribution, possession, etc of an indecent photograph in (A ) South East Essex Local Justice Area, (B) Essex and (C) England and Wales in 2004 can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates courts, and found guilty at all courts for offences relation to indecent distribution, possession, etc of pictures of children, in South East Essex local justice area (LJA), Essex police force area, and England and Wales, 2004( 1,2) 
			   Offence description 
			   Take, permit to be taken, or to make distribute or publish indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children( 3)  Possession of an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph( 4) 
			   Male  Female  Male  Female 
			  Area/age group  Prosecuted  Guilty  Prosecuted  Guilty  Prosecuted  Guilty  Prosecuted  Guilty 
			  South East Essex LJA 
			 10 to 17 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 18 to 20 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 21 and over 9 4 (5)— (5)— 2 2 (5)— (5)— 
			  
			  Force Essex 
			 10 to 17 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 18 to 20 (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— (5)— 
			 21 and over 38 38 5 7 -
			 Total 38 38 (5)— (5)— 5 7 (5)— (5)— 
			  
			  England and Wales 
			 10 to 17 19 14 (5)— (5)— 3 1 (5)— (5)— 
			 18 to 20 34 22 (5)— (5)— 4 3 (5)— (5)— 
			 21 and over 1,035 939 9 3 192 179 1 1 
			 Total 1,088 975 9 3 199 183 1 1 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Statute: Protection of Children Act 1978 Section 1 as amended by Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, Sec 84 and Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 S.41(1). (4) Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec. 160 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. (5) Nil.  Source: RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Internet Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals for a legal definition of internet terrorism.

Tony McNulty: There are currently no plans to provide a specific definition of 'internet terrorism'. Terrorism itself has already been defined in the Terrorism Act 2000, and any Acts or omissions which breach criminal law are illegal whatever media is involved, including the internet.

IT Contracts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) projected cost at the time of tender and  (b) actual cost at the time of completion was for each IT contract commissioned by his Department in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: Please see the following tables.
	
		
			  Desktop services 
			  Business  IT Unit  Projected cost  (£ million)  Actual cost  Year 
			 IND HOITSS 200 Still ongoing 2004 
			 NOMS (Steria/OMNI) NOMS 250 Still ongoing 2006 
		
	
	 IT enabled change programmes
	The following table outlines those details that are centrally held in relation to major IT projects with a value over £10 million. The Home Office runs a number of smaller IT projects but details of these is not recorded or held centrally.
	
		
			  Business  Programme  Projected cost  (£ million)  Actual cost  Year 
			 IND Project Semaphore (part of e-Borders) 31.9 Still ongoing From 2004 to date. 
			  Project IRIS (part of e-Borders) 2.8 Still ongoing 2004 
			  Mycroft 42 Still ongoing From 2004 over five years 
			  Warnings Index (Support Contract) 14.5 Still ongoing May 2006 to 2014 
			  
			 CS EDRM 16.8 Still ongoing 2005-06

Leave to Remain

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women from  (a) India and  (b) Pakistan were granted permission to live in the UK with their UK-resident husbands in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 20 October 2006
	Statistics on women, who are nationals of India and Pakistan, granted settlement on the basis of marriage to a British citizen or a person already settled in the United Kingdom, 2001 to 2005, are given in the following table.
	Statistics on immigration control are published annually in Command Papers entitled "Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom". These publications are available from the Library of the House and via the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		
			  Women granted settlement on the basis of marriage( 1)  to a British citizen or a person already settled in the United Kingdom, nationals of India and Pakistan, 2001 to 2005( 2) , United Kingdom 
			  Number of persons 
			   India  Pakistan 
			 2001 2,435 4,295 
			 2002 2,300 4,305 
			 2003 2,890 4,380 
			 2004 1,840 2,760 
			 2005(3) 1,680 1,565 
			 (1) Includes unmarried partners.  (2) Data from 2003 exclude dependants of EEA and Swiss nationals in confirmed relationships granted permanent residence.  (3) Provisional data subject to change.   Note:  Data rounded to the nearest 5.

Legislation

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) Acts and  (b) parts of Acts received Royal Assent between 1 May 1997 and June 2006 for which his Department has policy responsibility; and which provisions within those Acts (i) have not yet come into force, (ii) have been replaced prior to coming into force and (iii) have been replaced after coming into force.

Tony McNulty: The provisions of the following Acts (which received Royal Assent between 1 May 1997 and June 2006) for which the Home Secretary has policy responsibility are fully in force:
	The Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997
	The Special Immigration Appeals Act 1997
	The Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Act 1997
	The Criminal Justice (International Co-operation) (Amendment) Act 1998
	The Crime and Disorder Act 1998
	The Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999
	The Criminal Cases Review (Insanity) Act 1999
	The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000
	The Football Disorder Act 2000
	The Terrorism Act 2000
	The Mobile Telephones Reprogramming Act 2002
	The Football Disorder (Amendment) Act 2002
	The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
	The Sexual Offences Act 2003
	The Extradition Act 2003
	The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005
	Terrorism Act 2006
	The following table lists provisions of Acts for which the Home Office has policy responsibility which received Royal Assent between 1 May 1997 and June 2006 which are not yet in force.
	Sections and provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 yet to come into force is provided in the table placed in the House Library.
	It is not possible to provide lists of provisions which have been replaced prior to coming into force or which have been replaced after coming into force without incurring disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Act  Sections not in force 
			 Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 85(5), Sch two (2) 
			 Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 78 
			 Asylum and Immigration(Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 12, 16, 26 
			 Crime (International Co-Operation) Act 2003 10-12, 20-25, 32-36, 42-46, 54-75, Sch three, Sch 4 
			 Criminal Justice Act 2003 (1)— 
			 Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 59, 61, 71(5), Sch seven, Sch 8 
			 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 78(7), 80(2) and (4), Sch six para 21, Sch seven para 6 
			 Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 1, 4, 9, 12-21, 48-53, 54(2)(c), 3(c) and (d), 55, 56, 57, Sch eight and 9 
			 Drugs Act 2005 2, four, six, 10, 11, 13, 14 
			 Identity Cards Act 2006 1(1)-(4), 1(5)-(8)*, 2-24, 27-29, 30*, 31-34, 35, 39, 41, 42*,43, Sch 1 
			 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 16 and 17, 32, 34-37, 117(5) 
			 Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 2, 4, 8-nine, 15-18, 20-22, 24-26, 31-39, 44, 47, 50-52, 58 
			 Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 10(5), 17, 18-26, 27-34, 35(1) (a)-(g) and (2) and (3), 36, 37, 39, 40(2) and (3), 41(2) and (3), 44-47, 51 to 53, 124 
			 Police Reform Act 2002 20(4), 22(4), 45 
			 Private Security Industry Act 2001 17, 21 
			 Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 Sch 11 paras 17 and 21*, Sch 12* 
			 Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 (2)— 
			 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 120, 114(9), 117(7), 142, 162(3) 165, 170, Sch four, Sch nine, Sch 14, Sch 10 
			 Terrorism Act 2006 (3)— 
			 Vehicle (Crimes) Act 2001 8, 34, 35, 36, Sch paras one and 2 
			 Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 28, 44, 45, 48-52, 61(2), Sch 2, Sch 4 
			 (1) See separate table placed in the Library of the House  (2) No provisions in force (3) All provisions have been implemented

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what checks are in place of fundraising charities associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the United Kingdom;
	(2)  which fundraising organisations in the United Kingdom have been identified as having links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Tony McNulty: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) were proscribed under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in March 2001. It is an offence to be a member of the LTTE, or provide or show support for it.

Life Prisoners

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to transfer lifer prisoners resident in prisons no longer classified as lifer establishments to suitable prisons.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Governor of the holding prison is required to identify appropriate prisons for the onward transfer of each life sentence prisoners as part of the life sentence management process governed by national guidance available on the Prison Service website. The physical transfer of the prisoner is then arranged centrally with the inter-prison transfer contractors.

Light Bulbs

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of light bulbs purchased by his Department in 2005 were of the compact fluorescent type.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally, however, 6 per cent. of all the light bulbs or tubes purchased last year for our offices at 2 Marsham Street were of the compact fluorescent type. General office lighting is provided using fluorescent tubes. Compact fluorescent bulbs are used where appropriate and required.

Liquid Explosives

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to develop ways of detecting liquid explosives.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office is involved in a number of interdepartmental initiatives regarding the detection of liquid explosives, the detail of which is classified.

London Bombings (Compensation Payments)

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many non-British amputees of the London bombings on 7 July 2005 are eligible for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme;
	(2)  how many families of those killed in the London bombings on 7 July 2005 are eligible for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority;
	(3)  how many non-British survivors of the London bombings on 7 July 2005 are eligible for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority scheme.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) does not record the nationality of claimants since this is not a criterion for eligibility under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.
	The immediate family of people killed in the London bombings are eligible for compensation. Parents, children (of any age), spouse, civil partner or co-habiting partner (of either sex) count as immediate family.
	Of the 560 applications received by CICA to date in respect of the London bombings, 98 relate to 45 of those who were killed.

Micheal Shields

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making to transfer Michael Shields from prison in Bulgaria to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The necessary arrangements are being put in place with the Bulgarian authorities for the transfer of Michael Shields to serve his sentence in the UK. In accordance with normal practice, we will not be making a statement or announcement about the details or date of the transfer.

Migration (EU Accession Countries)

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the regional pattern of settlement of workers who have come to the UK from the EU accession countries of 2004.

Liam Byrne: Nationals of the eight Accession countries which joined the European Union on 1 May 2004 (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) are required to register on the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) within one month of starting work in the United Kingdom. Information on the registration of workers from these eight countries is published in the Accession Monitoring Report.
	The report is the main source of statistical data on applicants who have registered on the WRS. The report is published on a quarterly basis, the latest was published in August 2006, and is available on the Home Office website at: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/accession_monitoring_report.
	Pages 18 to 22 of the report provides statistical information and assessment of the geographical distribution of registered workers for the period May 2004 to June 2006.

Ministerial Meetings

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions he has met  (a) the Head of the (i) Parole Board, (ii) Probation Service and (iii) Prison Service,  (b) the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police,  (c) each other chief constable in England and Wales,  (d) the Chief Inspector of (A) prisons and (B) the Probation Service,  (e) the Crown Prosecution Service,  (f) the Lord Chief Justice and  (g) the Lord Chancellor to discuss their respective roles within the criminal justice system since 1 January 2006.

Tony McNulty: The Home Secretary regularly meets with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss improvements to the Criminal Justice System. Details could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

Ministerial Visits

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he has visited Wales in the last 12 months.

John Reid: I have not visited Wales in the last 12 months.

Miscarriages of Justice

Edward O'Hara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) shortest and  (b) longest time has been for releasing a person from prison following the quashing of the conviction causing him to be detained within the prison; and what the average length of time taken to complete such release, excluding the shortest and longest cases from the calculation, has been.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Missing Persons

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many children and young people were reported missing to the police between 1 April 2006 and 30 September 2006 in each police force area; and how many in each area were  (a) reported missing from care and  (b) on a local authority child protection register;
	(2)  which police forces are using computerised systems for the recording and case management of reports of missing persons.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The Home Office does not collect data on the number of young people reported missing. Information on missing persons reported to the police is held centrally on the Police National Computer (PNC) and the Police National Missing Persons Bureau (PNMPB). The PNMPB also collects statistics including missing males/females under 14 years of age, between 14 and 17 and aged 18 and over which are available on their website.
	Information on police forces with IT systems for handling missing persons reports are set out in the list.
	The best information to hand (as supplied by Centrex) at the present time relating to IT systems in forces shows that the following have such systems:
	Avon and Somerset
	Bedfordshire
	Derbyshire
	Gloucestershire
	Greater Manchester Police
	Hampshire—in development
	Hertfordshire
	Humberside
	Lancashire
	Leicestershire
	Lincolnshire—in development
	Merseyside
	Metropolitan Police
	Norfolk
	North Wales
	Northamptonshire—in development
	Nottinghamshire
	Staffordshire
	South Yorkshire
	Suffolk
	Surrey
	Thames Valley
	West Mercia
	West Midlands

Motoring Offences

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were  (a) convicted of motoring offences, including those resulting from automatic cameras, and  (b) issued with parking fines in each police authority area in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Data for 2004 (latest available) are given in the following table. Information on fixed penalty notices is available by calendar year only.
	2005 data will be available early in 2007.
	Under the Road Traffic Act 1991, Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) powers allow local authorities to take over responsibility for enforcing parking contraventions from police. Data on penalty charge notices (PCNs) from individual local authorities operating decriminalised parking enforcements can be found in the annual Home Office publication 'Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, supplementary tables'. The latest publication 2004 [Table 22(a)—22(b) refers] lists data by local authorities partaking in the scheme, a copy of which is available in the Library. This publication can also be accessed on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics (RDS) website at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm
	
		
			  Table C: Fixed penalty notices( 1)  issued( 2 ) for breaches of obstruction, waiting and parking regulations( 3) , by police force area, England and Wales, 2004 
			  Police force area  Number of notices( 1,2,3) 
			 Avon and Somerset 14,211 
			 Bedfordshire 814 
			 Cambridgeshire 9,680 
			 Cheshire 14,842 
			 Cleveland 4,598 
			 Cumbria 558 
			 Derbyshire 13,250 
			 Devon & Cornwall 53,325 
			 Dorset 371 
			 Durham 1,925 
			 Essex 8,204 
			 Gloucestershire 21,889 
			 Greater Manchester 21,646 
			 Hampshire 13,792 
			 Hertfordshire 6,496 
			 Humberside 27,068 
			 Kent 953 
			 Lancashire 17,717 
			 Leicestershire 20,357 
			 Lincolnshire 18,201 
			 London, City of 188 
			 Merseyside 13,648 
			 Metropolitan Police 162,463 
			 Norfolk 8,109 
			 Northamptonshire 2,197 
			 Northumbria 42,426 
			 North Yorkshire 7,031 
			 Nottinghamshire 7,676 
			 South Yorkshire 18,873 
			 Staffordshire 9,348 
			 Suffolk 20,119 
			 Surrey 9,717 
			 Sussex 48,178 
			 Thames Valley 22,121 
			 Warwickshire 13,037 
			 West Mercia 9,198 
			 West Midlands 46,138 
			 West Yorkshire 55,016 
			 Wiltshire 2,388 
			 Dyfed-Powys 9,482 
			 Gwent 17,316 
			 North Wales 8,729 
			 South Wales 79,205 
			 England and Wales 882,500 
			 (1 )Paid i.e. no further action.  (2 )Issued by police (including traffic wardens).  (3 )Offences under relevant sections of the Road Traffic Act 1988; Transport Act 2000; Highway Act 1835; Highways Act 1980;Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984; Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986; Transport Act 2000 Part III and the Metropolitan Police Act 1839.   Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Motoring Offences

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motoring offences were dealt with by police in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1993, broken down by offence.

Vernon Coaker: Information by motoring offence groups from 1993 to 2004 (latest available) is given in the table.
	Data for 2005 will be available early in 2007.
	
		
			  Motoring offences dealt with by official police action( 1, 2) , within Cambridgeshire police force area, 1993 to 2004 
			  Number of offences 
			  Offence group  Offence type  1993( 2)  1994( 2)  1995( 2)  1996( 2)  1997( 2)  1998 
			 1 Causing death or bodily harm 7 12 9 12 8 9 
			 2 Dangerous driving 107 70 95 62 96 143 
			 3 Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 975 890 946 951 1,092 1,145 
			 4 Careless driving 987 1,019 1,099 878 1,051 1,133 
			 5 Accident offences 266 186 229 151 231 395 
			 6 Unauthorised taking or theft of motor vehicle 570 454 508 514 420 653 
			 7 Driving licence related offences 2,611 2,210 1,928 1,805 2,172 3,331 
			 9 Vehicle insurance offences 3,825 3,190 2,793 2,700 3,116 4,996 
			 10 Vehicle registration and excise licence offences 3,352 3,616 2,148 1,697 1,495 720 
			 11 Work record and employment offences 140 200 125 132 99 91 
			 12 Operator's licence offences 41 41 18 25 25 27 
			 13 Vehicle test offences 2,394 1,875 1,621 1,382 1,544 2,387 
			 14 Fraud, forgery etc., associated with vehicle or driver records 208 215 232 133 231 184 
			 15 Vehicle or part in dangerous condition 551 631 622 525 612 635 
			 16 Speed limit offences 1,623 6,726 8,580 12,871 19,810 17,132 
			 17 Motorway offences (other than speeding) 306 231 80 56 121 74 
			 18 Neglect of traffic directions 2,168 3,613 3,834 3,571 2,544 2,018 
			 19 Neglect of pedestrian rights 112 270 203 193 252 230 
			 20 Obstruction, waiting and parking offences 35,050 33,011 29,780 29,028 32,716 29,115 
			 21 Lighting offences 382 326 561 272 310 453 
			 22 Noise offences 53 54 45 34 44 39 
			 23 Load offence 215 151 173 157 121 87 
			 24 Offences peculiar to motor cycles 47 48 38 38 52 53 
			 25 Miscellaneous motoring offences 3,538 2,927 2,918 2,794 3,435 3,584 
			  Total all offences 59,528 61,966 58,585 59,981 71,597 68,634 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of offences 
			  Offence group  Offence type  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 1 Causing death or bodily harm 8 16 12 10 10 17 
			 2 Dangerous driving 148 114 148 150 151 120 
			 3 Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs 1,022 882 880 928 1,019 1,159 
			 4 Careless driving 1,064 1,127 915 688 733 663 
			 5 Accident offences 292 295 256 235 299 289 
			 6 Unauthorised taking or theft of motor vehicle 620 497 377 529 579 422 
			 7 Driving licence related offences 3,079 3,108 2,721 3,032 3,533 3,688 
			 9 Vehicle insurance offences 4,351 4,158 3,528 4,186 4,802 4,534 
			 10 Vehicle registration and excise licence offences 283 118 149 148 220 875 
			 11 Work record and employment offences 178 146 89 245 19 35 
			 12 Operator's licence offences 16 18 24 15 4 5 
			 13 Vehicle test offences 1,863 2,131 2,373 2,874 3,154 2,859 
			 14 Fraud, forgery etc., associated with vehicle or driver records 157 103 87 122 74 74 
			 15 Vehicle or part in dangerous condition 508 396 272 283 303 275 
			 16 Speed limit offences 17,396 10,402 7,583 15,998 29,817 21,930 
			 17 Motorway offences (other than speeding) 157 65 36 14 21 22 
			 18 Neglect of traffic directions 1,917 1,693 2,087 1,832 1,797 2,712 
			 19 Neglect of pedestrian rights 172 122 147 129 111 81 
			 20 Obstruction, waiting and parking offences 30,600 32,875 33,498 32,451 22,648 9,891 
			 21 Lighting offences 363 283 232 257 207 317 
			 22 Noise offences 51 37 21 36 25 32 
			 23 Load offence 226 194 51 75 46 64 
			 24 Offences peculiar to motor cycles 40 53 50 46 30 48 
			 25 Miscellaneous motoring offences 300,519 2,268 1,805 1,585 2,389 2,963 
			  Total all offences 365,030 61,101 57,341 65,868 71,991 53,075 
			 (1) Consists of court proceedings, written warnings, fixed penalties and vehicle defect rectification scheme notices complied with.  (2) Findings of guilt at all courts data substituted for court proceedings in the tables from 1993 to 1997 as court proceedings data not available.   Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts' case management system currently being implemented by the Department for Constitutional Affairs reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated.  2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: Home Office publication "Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary tables".

Mr. David Robers

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the evidence of Mr. David Roberts of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 16 May 2006 represents departmental policy.

Liam Byrne: Since 1995, Governments have made clear that by its very nature illegal immigration is impossible to quantify precisely, and that remains the case. Mr. Roberts was therefore correct to say that he could not know the actual figure.

Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders supervised under multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) have subsequently been returned to prison before the end of their licence period in the past five years; and how many offenders are being supervised under MAPPA.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data on returns to prison are not currently collected in respect of the whole MAPPA population. Recall information in regard to offenders managed at MAPPA level two and three, i.e. those requiring multi-agency meetings is available on the website at http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp

Muslim Groups

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings  (a) Ministers and  (b) representatives of his Department have held with (i) the Muslim Council of Britain, (ii) the Muslim Association of Britain and (iii) Hizb-ut-Tehrir in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The Home Secretary has met with the Muslim Council of Britain on three occasions in the past 12 months: 3 May 2006, 12 September 2006 and 11 October 2006. He has not met with representatives of the Muslim Association of Britain or Hizb-Ut-Tehrir in the past 12 months.
	No other Home Office Ministers have held meetings with the groups.

Non-emergency Telephone Number

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  in what parts of the United Kingdom the national single non-emergency number is available;
	(2)  on what date the national single non-emergency number will be available throughout England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: The single non-emergency number, 101, is currently available in five areas across England and Wales: Northumbria and Tyne and Wear, Sheffield, Leicester City and Rutland, Cardiff and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
	The Government have decided not to proceed with the further roll-out of the Programme beyond Wave 1 at this time (although Wave 1 will continue to be maintained). This decision has been taken to allow more time to fully assess the learning from Wave 1, including optimum costs and benefits. Decisions on future programme development will be deferred pending the outcome of a fuller evaluation of Wave 1 in the autumn of 2007.

Open Prisons

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions in the last six months prisoners in closed conditions were moved as a group to open prisons on out-of-area placements; how many such prisoners were so moved; which prisons they were moved  (a) to and  (b) from in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The individual occasions and total number of prisoner moves from closed to open conditions is not held centrally, and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

Operation Oyster Catcher

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) objectives and  (b) results were of Operation Oyster Catcher.

Tony McNulty: Exercise Oyster Catcher was a routine exercise involving a number of the emergency services. The objective was to test the response to a major terrorist incident in Wales. The results of the exercise will be fed into classified contingency plans for responding to a wide range of emergencies. It is important that these plans are regularly tested, reviewed and updated but it is not in the national interest to comment on the detail of those plans or the exercise itself.

Operation Oyster Catcher

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the cost was of Operation Oyster Catcher;
	(2)  what additional resources he has made available to  (a) Dyfed Powys police,  (b) Pembrokeshire county council,  (c) Mid and West Wales Fire Authority and  (d) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to meet costs incurred by Operation Oyster Catcher;
	(3)  what expenditure was incurred by  (a) Dyfed Powys police,  (b) Pembrokeshire county council,  (c) Mid and West Wales Fire Authority and  (d) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in respect of Operation Oyster Catcher.

Tony McNulty: Exercise Oyster Catcher was a classified government exercise to test the response to a major terrorist incident. It is not normal practice to disclose the level of funding allocated to specific counter-terrorist measures.
	The agencies referred to are all category one responders within the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and as such have civil protection duties to produce plans to deal with a wide range of emergencies. Exercises are an important element in ensuring that those plans are fit for purpose and are jointly funded as part of existing major incident planning. The Home Office makes a contribution to the costs incurred by the police force which hosts the exercise. Other costs are met by the individual agencies as part of their duties as category one responders.

Opinion Polling

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of all opinion polling commissioned by his Department in the last 15 months.

John Reid: The Home Office undertakes a wide range of research activities that support the development of information-led policy, including surveys of public opinion that consider Home Office issues and its related areas of responsibility.
	The Department commissions such work only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme and when this is the most economic, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose. Consulting and involving the public helps inform both policy formulation and delivery of better quality public services.
	Copies of completed reports involving opinion polling since June 2005
	have been placed in the Library. A list of the work is as follows:
	Evaluation of intensive supervision and monitoring
	Qualitative study of cognitive skills
	Process evaluation of cognitive skills booster evaluation
	National evaluation of police community support officers
	Identity Cards Bill - Identity cards trade off research—Interim Report
	Identity Cards—The public's response to proposed customer propositions
	Identity Cards—an assessment of awareness and demand for the
	Identity Cards scheme research report
	Identity Cards: an assessment of awareness and demand among foreign nationals for biometric residence permits and related products.

Parliamentary Questions

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to provide substantive answers to questions  (a) 68948,  (b) 68802,  (c) 68947,  (d) 68950,  (e) 68795,  (f) 68887 and  (g) 68801, tabled on 3 May by the hon. Member for Woking.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 25 May 2006
	I replied to the hon. Member as follows:
	 (a) 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1684W;
	 (b) 5 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2230W;
	 (c) 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 635W;
	 (f) 22 June 2006,  Official Report, column 2126W;
	 (g) 29 June 2006,  Official Report, column 634W.
	The Under-Secretary of State, my hon, Friend the member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) replied to
	 (d) 23 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1027W.
	The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the member for Bradford, South (Mr. Sutcliffe) replied to
	 (e) 14 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1306W.

Parliamentary Questions

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to question 67768, tabled on 27 April 2006 by the hon. Member for Aylesbury, which sought substantive replies to questions 61153, 61154 and 61155, tabled by the hon. Member for Aylesbury on 16 March 2006.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 14 June 2006
	I replied to the hon. Member on 4 October 2006,  Official Report, column 507W.

Parliamentary Questions

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to question 80134, on the Sex Offenders Register, tabled by the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead on 21 June for answer on 26 June.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I replied to the hon. Member on 7 August 2006, printed on 26 October 2005,  Official Report, column 2145W.

Parliamentary Questions

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to question 73527, on the illegal migrant population, tabled by the hon. Member for Ashford for answer on 24 May 2006.

Liam Byrne: I replied to the hon. Member on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 605W.

Parliamentary Questions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer question  (a) 84854, on prisons, tabled on 10 July 2006,  (b) 82996, on foreign criminals, tabled on 4 July 2006,  (c) 67476, on foreign national prisoners, tabled on 26 April 2006 and  (d) 58657 on prisons tabled on 9 March 2006 by the hon. Member for the Forest of Dean.

Liam Byrne: The information is as follows:
	PQ 84854 was answered by the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 24 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1173W.
	PQ 82996 was answered on 6 November 2006, for which no Hansard reference is available as yet.
	PQ 67476 was answered by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne), on 8 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2435W.
	PQ 58657 was answered by the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart), on 16 March 2006,  Official Report, column 2471W.

Parliamentary Questions

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department before  (a) 25th July and  (b) 2nd October remained unanswered on 9th October.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 16 October 2006
	As of 9 October, 134 questions remain unanswered of which 86 dated before 25 July and a further 48 before 2 October.
	The Home Secretary has instructed both the Permanent Secretary and I to review the current PQ delivery mechanisms. In addition to this, he has identified the Department's obligations to Parliament as one of the performance measures that should result from his plan to reform the Home Office. The improvements will not happen overnight but I am reassured that considerable effort has occurred throughout the summer recess to reduce the backlog of unanswered questions. This work remains ongoing although I am pleased to reassure you that for the months of July, August and September the Department answered 1,245 questions with approximately 70 per cent. answered within agreed timescales.

Parliamentary Questions

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will answer question 71762 tabled by the hon. Member for Eastleigh on 16 May 2006; and if he will make a statement on the Department's policy on the time taken to answer questions.

Tony McNulty: The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality replied to the question on the 18 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1291W.
	The Home Secretary has instructed both the Permanent Secretary and I to review the current PQ delivery mechanisms. In addition to this, he has identified the Department's obligations to Parliament as one of the performance measures that should result from his plan to reform the Home Office. The improvements will not happen overnight but I am reassured that considerable effort has occurred throughout the summer recess to reduce the backlog of unanswered questions. This work remains ongoing although I am pleased to reassure you that for the months of July, August and September the Department answered 1245 questions with approximately 70 per cent. answered within agreed timescales.

Penalty Notices (Traffic Offences)

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which traffic offences fixed penalty notices can be issued.

John Reid: Under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (the Act) the Secretary of State may by order provide for any offence in respect of a vehicle to be a fixed penalty offence.
	Fixed penalties are currently available for over 200 different offences. A detailed list is included at annex A of the Home Office's Revised Guidance on the Operation of the Fixed Penalty System for Offences in Respect of a Vehicle. This is available on the Home Office website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health for each pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; what the incidence of ill-health retirement was as a percentage of all retirement for such schemes for each year since 1988-89; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current rate of ill-health retirement is for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A police authority may medically retire an officer if he or she is assessed by a medical practitioner selected by the authority to be permanently disabled for the ordinary duties of a member of the force. An officer who is a contributing member of either the Police Pension Scheme 1987 or the Police Pension Scheme 2006 and who has two years' qualifying service at the time of retirement will receive an ill-health pension which is index-linked and payable immediately. The ill-health pension under the Police Pension Scheme 1987, to which most officers belong, is based on the pension rights the officer has accrued up to retirement, but where the officer has at least five years' pensionable service the pension will be enhanced to compensate at least in part for the additional service he or she was unable to go on to complete.
	The Police Pension Scheme 2006, which applies to those who have joined the police service on or after 6 April this year, provides two levels of ill-health pension: a standard ill-health pension which is not enhanced and is payable to those who are permanently disabled for the ordinary duties of a member of the force but who can undertake other regular employment, and an enhanced top-up pension, which is payable in addition to the standard pension where the officer is also assessed as permanently disabled for all regular employment.
	Information about the rate of ill-health retirement for police officers is not available in the form requested for all the years that the hon. Member has asked for. A table follows with information from 1990-91 to 2004-05. From 2001-02 the rate of ill-health retirement has not been recorded as a percentage of the number of retirements but as a proportion of the number of officers in service, expressed in terms of ill-health retirements per 1,000 officers. This is a more stable measure since the number of ordinary retirements is liable to change from year to year. The figures show a very clear downward trend which started in the mid 1990s but which has been given added impetus following the Police Negotiating Board Agreement of 2002 which resulted in the issue of joint guidance to forces in 2003 on the better management of ill-health. The effective management of ill-health continues to be a priority for the police service. Improvements in sickness management and rehabilitation and better incentives for making appropriate use of ill health retirement (e.g. by introducing more than one tier of ill-health benefits) have been a key part of public service reform.
	
		
			  Police Officer Medical Retirements 
			   Percentage of medical retirements of all retirements  Number of medical retirements per 1,000 officers in service 
			 1990-91 62 — 
			 1991-92 62 — 
			 1992-93 60 — 
			 1993-94 53 — 
			 1994-95 53 — 
			 1995-96 46 — 
			 1996-97 45 — 
			 1997-98 38 — 
			 1998-99 39 — 
			 1999-2000 31 — 
			 2000-01 31 9.8 
			 2001-02 — 8.8 
			 2002-03 — 6.2 
			 2003-04 — 3 
			 2004-05 — 3 
			  Notes: 1. This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Under the Police Pension Scheme 1987, to which most officers belong, there is no fixed retirement age for the police. Officers with at least 25 years' service may retire with an immediate pension from age 50. Officers may also retire with an immediate pension, irrespective of age, after 30 years' service, when they will have accrued maximum benefits. This means that an officer who joined at age 18&frac12;—the earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officer—is entitled to retire at age 48&frac12; with a full pension. Otherwise officers become eligible to retire with an immediate pension from the age of 55, 57 or 60 depending on what their compulsory retirement age would have been for their rank and force before such ages were revised with effect from 1 October this year. Officers with less than 25 years' service who leave the police with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 60.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension Scheme 1987 is one sixtieth of final salary for each year during the first twenty years and two sixtieths for each of the next 10 years, providing a target pension of two thirds of final salary, if no lump sum is taken, after 30 years.
	Members of the Police Pension Scheme 2006, which applies to those who have joined the police service on or after 6 April this year, have a set pension age of 55 at or after which a serving officer can leave with an immediate pension irrespective of his or her length of service. Officers who leave the police service below the age of 55 with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 65.
	The accrual rate under the Police Pension Scheme 2006 is one seventieth of final salary for each year providing a target pension of one half of final salary, plus a fixed lump sum of twice final salary, after 35 years.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what savings estimate he has made of the effect on costs of the reforms to public sector pensions agreed with trades unions in 2005 for each year between 2006-07 and 2050-51; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 31 October 2006,  Official Report, column 317W.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current estimate is of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and on what assumptions for  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity the estimate is based.

Tony McNulty: The latest available information is that in the note on unfunded liabilities placed in Library by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 2 March 2006, which gives a combined figure for the police and fire service pension schemes of £85 billion.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions to each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The system for funding police pensions changed as of 1 April 2006. Under the new system, the cost of pensions in payment has been removed from police authorities' operating accounts. Police authorities now operate a separate pensions account for this purpose, into which are paid officers' contributions and a new employer's contribution. Any deficit is topped up with a grant from central Government; any surplus is recouped.
	The new employer's contribution, which is common to both old and new police pension schemes, is set at 24.6 per cent. of an officer's pensionable pay. In addition to this the police authority will pay into the pensions account a charge of twice the officer's average pensionable pay for any officer who retires early on ill-health grounds. We estimate the annual cost of employer contributions (not including ill-health retirement charges) at £1,095 million.

Private Finance Initiative Projects

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent by his Department on Private Finance Initiative projects postponed pending further consideration or stopped in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The Department has not postponed pending further consideration or stopped any Private Finance Initiative projects in the last 12 months.

Police

Dennis Skinner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Derbyshire  (a) retired and  (b) took ill-health retirement in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available data are given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Police officer retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Derbyshire police force from 2001-02 to 2005-06( 3) 
			   Retirements 
			 2001-02 54 
			 2002-03(4) 55 
			 2003-04 52 
			 2004-05 73 
			 2005-06 96 
			 (1) Retirements include all medical retirements and ordinary retirements. (2) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. (3) Financial year runs 1 April to 31 March inclusive. (4) In 2002-03 leaving figures were not available for Quarter 1 (April to June 2002 inclusive). 
		
	
	
		
			  Police officer medical retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Derbyshire police force from 2001-02 to 2005-06( 3) 
			   Medical Retirements 
			 2001-02 9 
			 2002-03 12 
			 2003-04 2 
			 2004-05 9 
			 2005-06(4) n/a 
			 (1) Data collated on behalf of and published by HMIC. (2) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearfest whole number. (3) Financial year runs 1 April to 31 March inclusive. (4) Data not available. Data for 2005-06 has been collated but not yet been validated. Figures will be available in the HMIC Annual Report 2005-06 due for publication by March 2007.

Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received from  (a) Cambridgeshire police authority and  (b) Cambridgeshire constabulary on the funding of Cambridgeshire constabulary in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We received written representations from the chief constable of Cambridgeshire constabulary and the treasurer to Cambridgeshire police authority in response to the provisional funding settlement for 2006-07 and 2007-08 announced last December.
	The chief constable and the chairman of the police authority have also made representations on specific budgetary items earlier in the year.

Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cautions were issued in the Cambridgeshire constabulary area for  (a) violence against the person,  (b) theft and handling stolen goods,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) criminal damage,  (e) robbery and  (f) fraud and forgery in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 October 2006
	Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform for the number of cautions, issued for  (a) violence against the person,  (b) theft and handling stolen goods,  (c) sexual offences,  (d) criminal damage,  (e) robbery and  (f) fraud and forgery in Cambridgeshire police force area, 2000 to 2004 can be found in the following table.
	Court proceedings data for 2005 will be available in November 2006.
	
		
			  Persons cautioned for various offence types, in Cambridgeshire police force area, 2000 to 2004( 1, 2) 
			  Number 
			  Offence type  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 Violence against the person 230 221 242 379 560 
			 Sexual offences 17 25 20 20 24 
			 Burglary 70 95 83 74 86 
			 Robbery 5 4 2 1 8 
			 Theft and handling stolen goods 748 593 635 613 766 
			 Fraud and forgery 57 53 57 70 57 
			 Criminal damage 21 18 6 13 13 
			 Drug offences 461 448 422 353 321 
			 Other indictable offences 52 47 58 50 87 
			 Summary offences (excluding motoring) 647 703 589 490 696 
			 Total 2,308 2,207 2,114 2,063 2,618 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.  (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police officers,  (b) special constables,  (c) police community support officers and  (d) support staff are employed in each police force in England and Wales; and what the equivalent figures were in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available data are given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Police officer strength( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  by police force as at  31 March 1996 to 31 March 2006 
			   As at 31 March each year 
			  Police force  1996  1997( 3)  1998  1999  2000  2001( 4) 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,981 2,989 2,976 2,999 2,934 2,994 
			 Bedfordshire 1,128 1,094 1,079 1,041 1,028 1,036 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,238 1,302 1,291 1,274 1,237 1,296 
			 Cheshire 1,998 2,046 2,042 2,071 2,011 2,002 
			 Cleveland 1,420 1,459 1,483 1,416 1,404 1,407 
			 Cumbria 1,115 1,144 1,164 1,126 1,084 1,048 
			 Derbyshire 1,763 1,791 1,772 1,759 1,777 1,823 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,899 2,865 2,962 2,887 2,841 2,934 
			 Dorset 1,263 1,284 1,310 1,279 1,306 1,354 
			 Durham 1,401 1,461 1,515 1,568 1,558 1,595 
			 Essex 2,884 2,961 2,928 2,891 2,806 2,897 
			 Gloucestershire 1,133 1,133 1,104 1,104 1,114 1,173 
			 Greater Manchester 6,938 6,922 6,949 6,810 6,795 6,909 
			 Hampshire 3,347 3,452 3,490 3,473 3,419 3,438 
			 Hertfordshire 1,712 1,759 1,740 1,724 1,767 1,922 
			 Humberside 2,041 2,045 2,021 1,974 1,932 1,917 
			 Kent 3,120 3,260 3,251 3,201 3,204 3,319 
			 Lancashire 3,171 3,248 3,257 3,245 3,179 3,255 
			 Leicestershire 1,908 1,949 1,983 1,993 1,993 2,032 
			 Lincolnshire 1,145 1,196 1,191 1,140 1,115 1,202 
			 London, City of 869 859 825 778 732 703 
			 Merseyside 4,411 4,230 4,216 4,211 4,085 4,081 
			 Metropolitan Police 27,343 26,677 26,094 26,073 25,485 24,878 
			 Norfolk 1,401 1,432 1,430 1,381 1,381 1,420 
			 Northamptonshire 1,153 1,177 1,169 1,137 1,117 1,305 
			 Northumbria 3,668 3,677 3,769 3,840 3,788 1,157 
			 North Yorkshire 1,324 1,338 1,367 1,337 1,283 3,857 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,318 2,323 2,323 2,225 2,204 2,275 
			 South Yorkshire 3,073 3,159 3,182 3,168 3,163 3,197 
			 Staffordshire 2,209 2,211 2,292 2,238 2,170 2,129 
			 Suffolk 1,138 1,174 1,186 1,190 1,145 1,133 
			 Surrey 1,644 1,620 1,608 1,662 1,785 2,066 
			 Sussex 3,074 3,085 2,996 2,847 2,822 2,855 
			 Thames Valley 3,674 3,695 3,776 3,748 3,740 3,703 
			 Warwickshire 979 926 924 908 900 926 
			 West Mercia 2,017 2,040 2,010 2,025 1,887 1,951 
			 West Midlands 7,145 7,113 7,156 7,321 7,194 7,423 
			 West Yorkshire 5,142 5,209 5,155 4,982 4,822 4,815 
			 Wiltshire 1,219 1,154 1,156 1,151 1,118 1,120 
			 Dyfed-Powys 991 1,005 1,002 1,026 1,040 1,055 
			 Gwent 1,044 1,243 1,233 1,247 1,264 1,274 
			 North Wales 1,378 1,369 1,396 1,391 1,403 1,444 
			 South Wales 3,027 2,976 2,986 2,981 2,926 3,154 
			 Total England and Wales 124,844 125,051 124,756 123,841 121,956 123,476 
		
	
	
		
			   As at 31 March each year 
			  Police force  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,096 3,149 3,401 3,384 3,389 
			 Bedfordshire 1,069 1,106 1,181 1,215 1,198 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,362 1,384 1,400 1,402 1,430 
			 Cheshire 2,059 2,119 2,177 2,186 2,174 
			 Cleveland 1,461 1,582 1,687 1,676 1,677 
			 Cumbria 1,100 1,140 1,222 1,232 1,230 
			 Derbyshire 1,848 2,003 2,070 2,070 2,046 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,053 3,202 3,283 3,369 3,493 
			 Dorset 1,381 1,416 1,433 1,450 1,485 
			 Durham 1,614 1,651 1,685 1,718 1,699 
			 Essex 2,946 2,989 3,098 3,190 3,279 
			 Gloucestershire 1,183 1,227 1,284 1,291 1,289 
			 Greater Manchester 7,217 7,343 8,042 8,041 7,959 
			 Hampshire 3,480 3,668 3,706 3,725 3,707 
			 Hertfordshire 1,825 1,957 2,086 2,104 2,126 
			 Humberside 2,058 2,105 2,213 2,230 2,224 
			 Kent 3,355 3,487 3,576 3,586 3,599 
			 Lancashire 3,304 3,339 3,550 3,551 3,583 
			 Leicestershire 2,100 2,114 2,277 2,283 2,250 
			 Lincolnshire 1,198 1,221 1,228 1,221 1,213 
			 London, City of 764 808 853 876 869 
			 Merseyside 4,125 4,099 4,122 4,317 4,269 
			 Metropolitan Police 26,223 27,984 29,735 30,710 30,536 
			 Norfolk 1,468 1,499 1,510 1,544 1,557 
			 Northamptonshire 1,214 1,210 1,239 1,267 1,317 
			 Northumbria 3,929 3,943 4,040 4,048 3,983 
			 North Yorkshire 1,417 1,444 1,529 1,543 1,636 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,330 2,411 2,484 2,502 2,477 
			 South Yorkshire 3,199 3,183 3,279 3,265 3,255 
			 Staffordshire 2,133 2,202 2,266 2,280 2,272 
			 Suffolk 1,203 1,253 1,304 1,313 1,300 
			 Surrey 1,992 1,906 1,913 1,915 1,922 
			 Sussex 2,893 2,989 3,039 3,044 3,092 
			 Thames Valley 3,762 3,833 4,034 4,114 4,229 
			 Warwickshire 969 997 1,008 1,011 1,032 
			 West Mercia 2,018 2,256 2,355 2,367 2,351 
			 West Midlands 7,681 7,751 7,887 8,056 8,097 
			 West Yorkshire 4,889 5,029 5,275 5,631 5,644 
			 Wiltshire 1,157 1,158 1,217 1,222 1,219 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,132 1,149 1,160 1,174 1,182 
			 Gwent 1,333 1,341 1,372 1,438 1,467 
			 North Wales 1,506 1,539 1,603 1,652 1,617 
			 South Wales 3,222 3,239 3,279 3,281 3,263 
			 Total England and Wales 127,267 131,426 137,105 139,495 139,633 
			 (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items.  (2 )Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.  (3) Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhmney Valley from South Wales police to Gwent police.  (4) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces. 
		
	
	
		
			  Special constable strength( 1 ) by police force as at 31 March 1996 to 31 March 2006 
			   As at 31 March 
			   1996  1997( 2)  1998  1999  2000  2001( 3) 
			 Avon and Somerset 688 759 621 547 459 400 
			 Bedfordshire 189 182 186 154 151 115 
			 Cambridgeshire 275 303 320 310 274 218 
			 Cheshire 274 475 459 407 350 290 
			 Cleveland 195 160 164 126 128 93 
			 Cumbria 201 189 198 204 176 156 
			 Derbyshire 413 428 380 317 282 275 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,102 1,148 1,024 918 870 804 
			 Dorset 254 289 315 305 298 267 1 
			 Durham 187 184 144 159 157 46 
			 Essex 608 634 638 544 483 445 
			 Gloucestershire 330 297 276 233 206 183 
			 Greater Manchester 746 685 598 523 457 367 
			 Hampshire 564 621 698 760 615 462 
			 Hertfordshire 315 297 306 238 216 198 
			 Humberside 391 340 324 269 246 212 
			 Kent 555 589 592 526 436 392 
			 Lancashire 553 483 489 449 382 360 
			 Leicestershire 360 415 406 316 247 162 
			 Lincolnshire 299 271 260 216 195 166 
			 London, City of 77 86 76 64 56 43 
			 Merseyside 333 401 419 458 476 541 
			 Metropolitan Police 1,850 1,714 1,282 1,138 758 774 
			 Norfolk 319 402 337 336 285 259 
			 Northamptonshire 289 316 288 230 199 188 
			 Northumbria 471 533 400 342 332 300 
			 North Yorkshire 360 362 358 276 217 182 
			 Nottinghamshire 537 620 558 461 411 335 
			 South Yorkshire 381 308 281 246 205 188 
			 Staffordshire 702 685 595 468 482 402 
			 Suffolk 407 379 397 420 391 349 
			 Surrey 260 297 235 224 175 149 
			 Sussex 511 472 442 393 352 306 
			 Thames Valley 744 656 609 569 472 418 
			 Warwickshire 340 381 345 261 260 221 
			 West Mercia 613 582 512 515 476 399 
			 West Midlands 897 945 889 731 680 617 
			 West Yorkshire 709 690 589 559 484 415 
			 Wiltshire 233 154 149 184 173 152 
			 Dyfed-Powys 314 283 254 237 202 191 
			 Gwent 136 157 119 113 119 137 
			 North Wales 332 341 358 400 247 207 
			 South Wales 461 361 366 338 267 254 
			 Total England and Wales 19,775 19,874 18,256 16,484 14,347 12,738 
		
	
	—continued
	
		
			   As at 31 March 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Avon and Somerset 364 345 305 396 408 
			 Bedfordshire 118 98 146 209 181 
			 Cambridgeshire 207 189 193 199 185 
			 Cheshire 191 161 173 192 225 
			 Cleveland 85 102 85 66 138 
			 Cumbria 102 94 77 126 152 
			 Derbyshire 260 249 301 369 429 
			 Devon and Cornwall 689 645 602 582 572 
			 Dorset 253 214 210 230 264 
			 Durham 134 94 81 91 109 
			 Essex 381 371 349 363 439 
			 Gloucestershire 154 157 155 146 157 
			 Greater Manchester 338 340 345 380 424 
			 Hampshire 444 373 346 369 388 
			 Hertfordshire 206 193 206 226 232 
			 Humberside 207 157 209 328 330 
			 Kent 327 286 341 338 306 
			 Lancashire 363 351 336 319 366 
			 Leicestershire 143 149 159 181 168 
			 Lincolnshire 155 139 156 179 166 
			 London, City of 36 42 54 52 70 
			 Merseyside 468 503 371 259 345 
			 Metropolitan Police 680 692 742 697 1,221 
			 Norfolk 244 239 241 253 262 
			 Northamptonshire 177 189 197 242 237 
			 Northumbria 256 221 169 240 198 
			 North Yorkshire 185 177 160 173 189 
			 Nottinghamshire 341 261 295 333 361 
			 South Yorkshire 206 204 200 204 270 
			 Staffordshire 384 391 376 409 406 
			 Suffolk 308 275 266 267 293 
			 Surrey 187 212 255 289 280 
			 Sussex 306 303 181 200 197 
			 Thames Valley 356 369 341 375 327 
			 Warwickshire 209 190 169 190 211 
			 West Mercia 339 309 280 263 284 
			 West Midlands 598 637 715 959 1,021 
			 West Yorkshire 349 374 403 417 440 
			 Wiltshire 147 154 169 174 180 
			 Dyfed-Powys 157 152 151 167 194 
			 Gwent 142 130 136 144 137 
			 North Wales 125 133 124 124 136 
			 South Wales 277 173 218 198 281 
			 Total England and Wales 11,598 11,037 10,988 11,918 13,179 
			 (1) Total strength is based on headcount figures. (2 )Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhmney Valley from South Wales police to Gwent police.  (3) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces. 
		
	
	
		
			  Police community support officer strength( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  by police force  as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2006( 3) 
			   As at 31 March each year 
			 Police force 2003 2004 2005(4) 2006(4) 
			 Avon and Somerset 0 45 139 130 
			 Bedfordshire 0 12 40 41 
			 Cambridgeshire 6 57 86 101 
			 Cheshire 2 50 52 75 
			 Cleveland 37 77 75 100 
			 Cumbria 0 0 17 17 
			 Derbyshire 0 0 43 42 
			 Devon and Cornwall 19 51 74 74 
			 Dorset 6 8 47 61 
			 Durham 10 28 69 67 
			 Essex 10 86 179 192 
			 Gloucestershire 0 54 72 72 
			 Greater Manchester 160 173 269 251 
			 Hampshire 0 0 26 30 
			 Hertfordshire 14 46 98 139 
			 Humberside 0 0 20 20 
			 Kent 0 59 105 97 
			 Lancashire 77 110 161 184 
			 Leicestershire 28 41 103 136 
			 Lincolnshire 29 38 75 78 
			 London, City of 0 0 14 11 
			 Merseyside 40 72 170 196 
			 Metropolitan Police 513 1,463 2,147 2,315 
			 Norfolk 12 33 68 65 
			 Northamptonshire 12 10 37 40 
			 Northumbria 0 51 126 129 
			 North Yorkshire 0 52 75 71 
			 Nottinghamshire 10 56 108 112 
			 South Yorkshire 14 59 124 121 
			 Staffordshire 0 7 63 70 
			 Suffolk 0 15 34 30 
			 Surrey 21 56 115 126 
			 Sussex 22 83 228 257 
			 Thames Valley 0 7 98 130 
			 Warwickshire 11 25 56 64 
			 West Mercia 8 57 81 85 
			 West Midlands 0 39 219 252 
			 West Yorkshire 70 265 394 462 
			 Wiltshire 15 23 41 57 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 5 25 26 
			 Gwent 30 45 77 76 
			 North Wales 0 0 59 58 
			 South Wales 0 59 107 111 
			 Total England and Wales 1,176 3,418 6,214 6,769 
			 (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items  (2 )Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.  (3 )Police community support officers were introduced in statute in 2002, therefore data is not available prior to 2002-03.  (4 )Strength figures as at 31 March 2005 onwards include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Therefore these figures are not comparable with those provided for other years in the table. 
		
	
	
		
			  Police staff strength( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  by police force  as at 31 March 1996 to 31 March 2006 
			   As at 31 March 
			  Police force  1996  1997( 3)  1998  1999( 4)  2000  2001( 5) 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,213 1,438 1,393 1,424 1,436 1,452 
			 Bedfordshire 472 484 523 483 490 491 
			 Cambridgeshire 530 607 574 586 503 614 
			 Cheshire 690 735 781 785 823 833 
			 Cleveland 553 609 586 552 595 586 
			 Cumbria 408 451 451 442 469 588 
			 Derbyshire 656 723 787 818 826 875 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,121 1,159 1,186 1,215 1,343 1,453 
			 Dorset 621 615 651 702 686 682 
			 Durham 531 583 557 559 590 566 
			 Essex 1,130 1,199 1,252 1,273 1,348 1,447 
			 Gloucestershire 415 435 423 504 484 506 
			 Greater Manchester 2,749 2,612 2,661 2,623 2,822 2,858 
			 Hampshire 1,323 1,316 1,331 1,381 1,443 1,482 
			 Hertfordshire 754 818 831 835 890 935 
			 Humberside 683 718 789 840 840 808 
			 Kent 1,141 1,384 1,470 1,582 1,647 1,796 
			 Lancashire 1 ,349 1,126 1,143 1,198 1,422 1,369 
			 Leicestershire 667 755 774 802 805 806 
			 Lincolnshire 442 521 541 517 516 561 
			 London, City of 324 347 334 314 285 233 
			 Merseyside 1,560 1,343 1,502 1,356 1,458 1,418 
			 Metropolitan Police 14,372 13,493 12,432 11,257 10,605 10,040 
			 Norfolk 529 603 646 648 655 694 
			 Northamptonshire 511 554 577 587 599 694 
			 Northumbria 1,319 1,365 1,362 1,443 1,417 1,416 
			 North Yorkshire 520 519 543 541 492 591 
			 Nottinghamshire 979 1,003 987 1,039 1,024 1,039 
			 South Yorkshire 1,418 1,291 1,243 1,273 1,391 1,312 
			 Staffordshire 754 763 866 1,004 858 935 
			 Suffolk 485 522 583 594 600 621 
			 Surrey 754 727 743 733 762 897 
			 Sussex 1,131 1,149 1,185 1,393 1,328 1,454 
			 Thames Valley 1,738 1,825 1,827 1,799 1,786 1,891 
			 Warwickshire 376 376 398 406 394 412 
			 West Mercia 964 942 975 975 1,043 1,095 
			 West Midlands 2,780 2,739 2,817 2,652 2,695 2,819 
			 West Yorkshire 2,037 2,234 2,304 2,216 2,199 2,228 
			 Wiltshire 453 475 519 555 563 622 
			 Dyfed-Powys 310 322 341 341 359 401 
			 Gwent 378 452 477 487 498 537 
			 North Wales 512 476 479 508 519 498 
			 South Wales 1,287 1,206 1,132 1,223 1,081 1,270 
			 NCS — — — 275 352 367 
			 NCIS(7) — — — 291 287 398 
			 Total England and Wales 52,933 53,011 52,975 53,031 53,227 54,588 
		
	
	
		
			   As at 31 March 
			  Police force  2002  2003( 6)  2004( 6)  2005( 6)  2006( 6) 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,611 1,785 2,004 2,005 2,080 
			 Bedfordshire 524 595 668 713 759 
			 Cambridgeshire 733 786 838 832 898 
			 Cheshire 884 1,008 1,149 1,137 1,170 
			 Cleveland 626 694 764 748 697 
			 Cumbria 631 676 705 730 732 
			 Derbyshire 953 1,061 1,131 1,165 1,109 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,639 1,834 1,926 2,034 2,082 
			 Dorset 741 793 823 881 918 
			 Durham 660 602 600 736 733 
			 Essex 1,571 1,682 1,876 1,968 1,968 
			 Gloucestershire 545 590 642 663 694 
			 Greater Manchester 3,135 3,173 3,452 3,303 3,352 
			 Hampshire 1,597 1,720 1,865 1,965 2,099 
			 Hertfordshire 1,121 1,299 1,408 1,414 1,489 
			 Humberside 816 880 979 1,034 1,097 
			 Kent 1,958 2,095 2,267 2,228 2,292 
			 Lancashire 1,442 1,489 1,683 1,715 1,764 
			 Leicestershire 816 934 1,007 1,033 1,079 
			 Lincolnshire 600 641 657 678 677 
			 London, City of 247 268 285 298 314 
			 Merseyside 1,532 1,752 1,855 2,126 2,207 
			 Metropolitan Police 10,459 11,358 12,595 13,561 13,836 
			 Norfolk 819 924 973 984 1,064 
			 Northamptonshire 742 812 874 973 1,010 
			 Northumbria 1,403 1,457 1,495 1,491 1,665 
			 North Yorkshire 743 723 864 928 1,039 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,087 1,180 1,285 1,318 1,385 
			 South Yorkshire 1,352 1,510 1,583 1,729 1,853 
			 Staffordshire 1,030 1,146 1,255 1,325 1,305 
			 Suffolk 692 713 789 813 853 
			 Surrey 1,043 1,245 1,352 1,472 1,541 
			 Sussex 1,507 1,578 1,811 1,950 1,994 
			 Thames Valley 2,061 2,412 2,620 2,611 2,782 
			 Warwickshire 459 503 525 590 609 
			 West Mercia 1,116 1,233 1,391 1,492 1,563 
			 West Midlands 3,007 3,012 3,100 3,143 3,300 
			 West Yorkshire 2,364 2,538 2,776 3,016 3,183 
			 Wiltshire 649 703 764 811 851 
			 Dyfed-Powys 459 502 523 531 566 
			 Gwent 570 607 629 688 749 
			 North Wales 645 703 849 867 882 
			 South Wales 1,435 1,366 1,453 1,510 1,543 
			 NCS 405 524 603 0 779 
			 NCIS(7) 482 — — 0 1 
			 Total England and Wales 58,909 63,105 68,693 71,209 74,563 
			 (1) Civilian staff have been referred to as police staff since March 2003. Figures exclude traffic wardens, police community support officers and designated officers (s.38)  (2) Total strength is based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, because of rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between these totals and the totals in other tables. Figures exclude those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity unless otherwise stated.  (3 )Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhmney Valley from South Wales police to Gwent police.  (4 )The National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS) and the National Crime Squad (NCS) were established and set up as independent bodies by the Police Act 1997 effective as of 1 April 1998.  (5 )Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces.  (6 )Strength figures as at 31 March 2003 onwards include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Therefore these figures are not comparable with those provided for other years in the table.  (7 )NCIS were unable to provide figures as at 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Police

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the Metropolitan Police's property strategy is; how it applies in areas where there are significant property deficiencies for operations; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The property strategy of the Metropolitan Police is a matter for the Commissioner.

Police

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he plans to implement in full the recommendations of the Police Arbitration Panel in connection with police pay; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 31 October 2006
	The police pay settlement for 2006 is currently being considered by the Police Arbitration Tribunal. I do not wish to say anything that could prejudice the outcome of the arbitration, but of course my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I will consider the outcome very carefully.

Police

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by police forces in England and Wales on translation services in 2005-06.

Tony McNulty: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what legislation a serving police officer can be  (a) prosecuted and  (b) cautioned for alleged offences committed whilst on duty; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Police officers are subject to the same laws as any other citizen. Any officer who commits a criminal offence can be charged and prosecuted or cautioned under any act that is appropriate to their particular crime. This is, however, subject to the necessary evidential and public interest tests applied by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers facing disciplinary charges in each police area in England and Wales retired on grounds of ill health  (a) before and  (b) after disciplinary hearings were completed in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The statistics for police officers facing disciplinary charges, who retired on grounds of ill health before or shortly after disciplinary hearings are not centrally held.

Police

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Durham  (a) retired and  (b) took ill health retirement in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available data are given in the following tables:
	
		
			  Police Officer Retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Durham Police Force from 2001-02 to 2005-06( 3) 
			   Number 
			 2001-02 51 
			 2002-03(4) 10 
			 2003-04 39 
			 2004-05 46 
			 2005-06 50 
			 (1) Retirements include all medical retirements and ordinary retirements.  (2) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number.  (3) Financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March inclusive.  (4) In 2002-03 leaving figures were not available for Q1, Q2 and Q3 (April to December 2002 inclusive). 
		
	
	
		
			  Police Officer Medical Retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Durham Police Force from 2001/02 to 2005/06( 3) 
			   Number 
			 2001-02 15 
			 2002-03 11 
			 2003-04 6 
			 2004-05 7 
			 2005-06(4) n/a 
			 (1) Data collated on behalf of and published by HMIC.  (2) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. (3) Financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March inclusive.  (4) Data not available. Data for 2005-06 have been collated but not yet been validated. Figures will be available in the HMIC Annual Report 2005-06 due for publication by March 2007.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in each police force area in England and Wales retired on grounds of ill health in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The available data are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Police officer medical retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  by force from 2000-01 to 2004-05( 3) 
			  Police force  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05 
			 Avon and Somerset 42 42 34 10 16 
			 Bedfordshire 18 8 7 1 3 
			 Cambridgeshire 11 10 8 4 1 
			 Cheshire 22 22 25 15 11 
			 City of London 9 8 4 8 4 
			 Cleveland 9 21 11 11 11 
			 Cumbria 24 7 7 4 3 
			 Derbyshire 12 9 12 2 9 
			 Devon and Cornwall 15 19 9 6 9 
			 Dorset 12 10 3 9 4 
			 Durham 8 15 11 6 7 
			 Dyfed-Powys 14 13 11 7 9 
			 Essex 34 32 21 16 13 
			 Gloucestershire 7 10 13 5 2 
			 Greater Manchester 110 57 33 10 14 
			 Gwent 16 24 22 8 13 
			 Hampshire 17 19 11 11 8 
			 Hertfordshire 13 8 7 3 1 
			 Humberside 20 11 10 2 10 
			 Kent 29 38 21 9 6 
			 Lancashire 30 39 22 13 11 
			 Leicestershire 28 7 9 6 8 
			 Lincolnshire 4 3 10 3 7 
			 Merseyside 47 58 51 25 25 
			 Metropolitan Police 225 219 150 60 64 
			 Norfolk 10 16 13 6 10 
			 Northamptonshire 8 6 3 3 3 
			 Northumbria 28 33 21 9 4 
			 North Wales 31 20 14 6 7 
			 North Yorkshire 37 16 9 8 8 
			 Nottinghamshire 16 14 16 12 15 
			 South Wales 76 50 33 14 8 
			 South Yorkshire 30 30 17 12 3 
			 Staffordshire 9 24 22 14 13 
			 Suffolk 14 13 12 8 3 
			 Surrey 18 24 12 10 6 
			 Sussex 16 16 9 4 12 
			 Thames Valley 20 17 29 17 8 
			 Warwickshire 15 7 8 4 3 
			 West Mercia 28 28 20 11 10 
			 West Midlands 29 30 21 13 12 
			 West Yorkshire 44 61 23 11 5 
			 Wiltshire 5 3 15 2 6 
			 Total 1,209 1,114 819 418 405 
			 (1) Data collated on behalf of and published by HMIC. Data for 2005-06 have been collated but not yet been validated. Figures will be available in the HMIC annual report 2005-06 due for publication by March 2007.  (2) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items.  (3) Financial year runs 1 April to 31 March inclusive.

Police

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section  (a) 33 and  (b) 36 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984; and what recent representations he has received on the operation of each section.

Tony McNulty: Section 33 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 amended section 125(3) of the Magistrates Courts Act 1990. Section 125(3) was subsequently repealed by the Access to Justice Act 1999.
	Section 36 of PACE sets out the requirement for custody officers to be appointed at each designated police station. Section 121 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCAP), which is yet to be brought into force, amends section 36 of PACE to enable police sergeants or staff custody officers to be appointed as custody officers.
	The SOCAP amendment was subject to full public consultation in the paper 'Modernising Police Powers to Meet Community Needs'. The consultation paper and the summary of responses are both available on the Home Office website.

Police

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants are made from public funds to the  (a) gay,  (b) black and  (c) Christian police associations; and what other associations there are representing groups within the police.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 23 October 2006
	For the financial year 2005-06 the National Black Police Association submitted a bid for £391,500 funding and received £172,610, the Gay Police Association submitted a bid for £195,224 funding and received £120,480. The Home Office did not provide funding to the Christian Police Association during that period and did not receive a bid for funding.
	A record is not kept of every staff association that exists within the police service. However, national associations which represent minority staff within the police service, and are supported by the Home Office, include the British Association of Women in Policing, who bid for £77,290 in 2005-06 and received that amount, and the National Disabled Police Association, who did not submit a bid for funding but received £10,000.

Police

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers  (a) were recruited by and  (b) retired from the service with Lancashire Constabulary in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: This is matter for the chief constable.

Police

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total funding from the Home Office was to each police authority in Wales for the last five years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Government funding for Welsh police authorities for the last five years is set out in the following tables:
	
		
			  Welsh Funding Figures, 2002-07 
			   Dyfed-Powys Police: Funding 
			  £ 
			   General Government grants( 1)  Specific grants and capital provision( 2)  Total Government grants 
			 2002-03 47,842,676 6,058,036 53,900,712 
			 2003-04(3) 49,304,391 7,119,855 56,424,246 
			 2004-05(3) 50,885,809 7,555,756 58,441,565 
			 2005-06(3, 5) 52,237,322 8,374,875 60,612,197 
			 2005-06(4) 48,528,000 12,084,197 60,612,197 
			 2006-07(3) 50,074,916 14,113,792 64,188,708 
		
	
	
		
			  Gwent Police: Funding 
			  £ 
			   General Government grants( 1)  Specific grants and capital provision( 2)  Total Government grants 
			 2002-03 66,737,474 5,473,499 72,210,973 
			 2003-04 69,554,581 7,008,159 76,562,740 
			 2004-05(3) 71,815,105 7,083,204 78,898,309 
			 2005-06(3, 5) 74,089,532 8,125,354 82,214,886 
			 2005-06(4) 73,054,000 9,160,886 82,214,886 
			 2006-07(3) 75,337,901 10,781,622 86,119,523 
		
	
	
		
			  North Wales Police: Funding 
			  £ 
			   General Government grants( 1)  Specific grants and capital provision( 2)  Total Government grants 
			 2002-03 70,188,274 8,673,067 78,861,341 
			 2003-04 73,332,013 8,882,538 82,214,551 
			 2004-05(3, 6) 77,281,403 8,704,479 85,985,882 
			 2005-06(3, 5) 78,251,051 10,318,766 88,569,817 
			 2005-06(4) 70,963,000 17,606,817 88,569,817 
			 2006-07(3) 73,178,221 16,893,269 90,071,490 
		
	
	
		
			  South Wales Police: Funding 
			  £ 
			   General Government grants( 1)  Specific grants and capital provision( 2)  Total Government grants 
			 2002-03 158,265,643 10,933,622 169,199,265 
			 2003-04(3) 163,007,017 11,582,918 174,589,935 
			 2004-05(3) 168,229,112 13,460,337 181,689,449 
			 2005-06(3, 5) 174,537,806 15,338,909 189,876,715 
			 2005-06(4) 160,998,000 28,878,715 189,876,715 
			 2006-07 166,265,797 30,316,905 196,582,702 
			 (1) Comprises Home office principal police grant and National Assembly for Wales Revenue Support Grant and redistributed business rates.  (2) Specific Grants include: Crime Fighting Fund, Basic Command Unit Fund, Community Support Officers continuation funding, Neighbourhood Policing Fund, Airwave, Premises Improvement Fund. The Rural Policing Fund, Forensic Grant and Special Priority Payments were consolidated into Special Formula Grant in 2006-07.  (3) Home Office payment for 'floor' support included in general grant.  (4) Adjusted for comparison purposes following the transfer of pensions and security funding from general grant in 2006-07.  (5) 2004-05 figures not directly comparable following the removal of PFI funding out of RSG. The increase was actually 3.75 per cent.  (6) In 2004-05 North Wales received additional PFI funding.

Police

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is available from his Department to police authorities in Wales to employ police community support officers.

Tony McNulty: The following table shows Home Office funding available during 2006-07 to police authorities in Wales to employ police community support officers.
	
		
			  CSO Funding 2006-07  £ million 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1.00 
			 Gwent 2.15 
			 North Wales 2.35 
			 South Wales 4.67 
			 Total 10.17

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been made available to  (a) each branch of the Metropolitan Police Force and  (b) each county force in 2005-06.

Tony McNulty: The Government allocate funding to police authorities. The funding made available to each branch of the Metropolitan Police is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis.
	Government funding for police authorities in England and Wales in 2005-06, including the Metropolitan Police Authority, is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Government funding to police authorities in England and Wales 2005-06 
			  (£ million) 
			  Police Authority  General grant( 1)  Specific Grants and Capital Provision( 2)  Total Grants 2005-06 
			 Avon and Somerset 170.0 19.3 189.3 
			 Bedfordshire 64.9 7.6 72.5 
			 Cambridgeshire 78.0 8.9 86.9 
			 Cheshire 111.5 11.1 122.6 
			 Cleveland 91.1 7.8 98.9 
			 Cumbria 61.9 7.4 69.3 
			 Derbyshire 105.0 11.8 116.8 
			 Devon and Cornwall 173.0 20.7 193.7 
			 Dorset 66.0 7.2 73.2 
			 Durham 87.4 8.4 95.8 
			 Essex 167.0 18.9 185.9 
			 Gloucestershire 61.1 7.6 68.7 
			 Hampshire 197.7 19.0 216.7 
			 Hertfordshire 108.8 11.6 120.4 
			 Humberside 119.1 11.4 130.5 
			 Kent 189.5 21.7 211.2 
			 Lancashire 191.1 19.2 210.3 
			 Leicestershire 107.4 11.6 119.0 
			 Lincolnshire 63.4 8.5 71.9 
			 Norfolk 85.4 10.6 96.0 
			 Northamptonshire 67.9 7.5 75.4 
			 North Yorkshire 75.4 8.6 84.0 
			 Nottinghamshire 132.8 13.1 145.9 
			 Staffordshire 113.3 12.2 125.5 
			 Suffolk 68.5 8.0 76.5 
			 Surrey 91.5 11.8 103.3 
			 Sussex 164.0 18.9 182.9 
			 Thames Valley 220.6 29.1 249.7 
			 Warwickshire 51.8 6.1 57.9 
			 West Mercia 111.8 13.9 125.7 
			 Wiltshire 62.9 7.3 70.2 
			 Shires 3459.6 387.1 3846.7 
			 
			 Greater Manchester 413.3 43.0 456.3 
			 Merseyside 258.2 24.5 282.7 
			 Northumbria 232.6 20.4 253.0 
			 South Yorkshire 184.7 16.7 201.4 
			 West Midlands 427.3 41.6 468.9 
			 West Yorkshire 314.2 29.1 343.3 
			 Metropolitans 1830.3 175.3 2005.6 
			 
			 Metropolitan Police 1932.1 321.4 2253.4 
			 City of London 35.7 5.0 40.7 
			 
			 Total England 7257.7 888.8 8146.4 
			 
			 Dyfed-Powys 52.2 8.4 60.6 
			 Gwent 73.8 8.1 81.9 
			 North Wales 78.0 10.3 88.3 
			 South Wales 174.5 15.3 189.8 
			 Total Wales 378.6 42.1 420.7 
			 
			 England and Wales 7636.3 930.9 8567.1 
			 (1) General grant comprises Home Office principal police grant and DCLG/National Assembly for Wales Revenue Support Grant and redistributed business rates, net of 2003-04 amending report adjustments.  (2) Specific Grants includes: Crime fighting fund, community support officers funding, neighbourhood policing fund, Basic Command Unit funding, rural grant, special priority payments, London/South East allowances, forensic grant, airwave, street crime initiative, counter terrorism funding (MPA only). All figures are rounded.   Notes: Figures for the City of London relate to Home Office grant only as calculated in the Police Grant Report (England and Wales). Revenue support grant is allocated to the Common Council of the City of London as a whole in respect of all its functions. The City is grouped with education authorities for the purposes of funding floors.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding the Metropolitan Police Force allocated to the London borough of Havering in 2005-06.

Tony McNulty: The Government allocates funding to police authorities. The allocation of resources to the London boroughs is a matter for the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis. We do not hold centrally information on resources for the London borough of Havering in 2005-06.

Police

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many architectural liaison officers there are in each police authority in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: This information is not collected centrally.

Police

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in Lancashire  (a) retired and  (b) took retirement on the grounds of ill-health in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available data are contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Police officer retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Lancashire police force from 2001-02 to 2005-06( 3) 
			   Retirements 
			 2001-02 107 
			 2002-03(4) 76 
			 2003-04 79 
			 2004-05 111 
			 2005-06 117 
			 (1) Retirements include all medical retirements and ordinary retirements. (2) Full-time equivalent figures that h ave been rounded to the nearest whole number. (3) Financial year runs 1 April to 31  March inclusive.  (4) In 2002-03 leaving figures were not available for quarter 1 (April to June 2002 inclusive). 
		
	
	
		
			  Police officer medical retirements( 1)  (FTE)( 2)  for Lancashire police force from 2001-02 to 2005-06( 3) 
			   Medical retirements 
			 2001-02 39 
			 2002-03 22 
			 2003-04 13 
			 2004-05 11 
			 2005-06(4) n/a 
			 (1) Data collated on behalf of and published by HMIC.  (2) Full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number.  (3) Financial year runs 1 April to 31 March inclusive.  (4) Data not available. Data for 2005-06 have been collated but not yet been validated. Figures will be available in the HMIC annual report 2005-06 due for publication by March 2007.

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the annual cost of an increase in police pay of  (a) 2.2 per cent. as proposed by the Official Side and  (b) of 3 per cent. as proposed by the staff side during pay negotiations.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 17 October 200
	We have made estimates of the impact of the pay increases proposed during the negotiations. However, as this is the subject of arbitration it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Police

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent reports he has received on the use of closed circuit television equipment in police stations.

Vernon Coaker: Information is not collected centrally from police forces on the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) equipment in police stations. The use of CCTV equipment is a matter for each chief officer.
	However, the Guidance on the "Safer Detention and Handling of Persons in Police Custody", published in February 2006 by Centrex on behalf of the Home Office and ACPO, explains the benefits of CCTV within police stations and recommends specific areas where chief officers may wish to consider coverage. This guidance includes passages and stairways and cell interiors.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of  (a) police community support officers and  (b) regular police officers fall into each ethnic category in each London borough.

Tony McNulty: Data are not available centrally for ethnicity at the required level. The available data, at the force level, are given in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage of police community support officers and police officers in relation to total strength (FTE)( 1)  by ethnicity as at 31 March 2006 
			  Percentage 
			   White  Mixed  Black or Black British  Asian or Asian British  Chinese or other  Not stated 
			  City of London:   
			 Police community support officers 81.8 0.0 9.1 9.1 0.0 0.0 
			 Police officers 94.6 1.4 1.9 1.9 0.1 0.0 
			
			  Metropolitan police:   
			 Police community support officers 62.5 3.4 14.2 12.9 4.9 2.2 
			 Police officers 92.4 1.3 2.4 2.6 1.2 0.2 
			 (1) This table is based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest decimal place for calculation. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items.

Police

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was  (a) claimed by and  (b) awarded to Cambridgeshire Police Authority as compensation for spending relating to preparations for amalgamation with neighbouring forces.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made on 30 October 2006 in which it was reported that Cambridgeshire claimed £242,714 and was awarded £100,000.

Police

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received relating to the advertisement by the Gay Police Association published in the Independent newspaper on 29 June 2006.

Tony McNulty: To date 25 representations have been received from hon. and right hon. Members and the general public about the advertisement.

Police

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Solicitor-General on the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to proceed against the Gay Police Association over the advertisement which was published in the Independent newspaper on 29 June 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Secretary of State does not involve himself in decisions made by the Crown Prosecution Service, which are based on an objective and detailed analysis of the facts in each individual case.

Police

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Gay Police Association has received public funding in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The Gay Police Association (GPA) submitted a successful bid for grant-in-aid funding at the beginning of 2002 and have received annual funding for five consecutive years up to and including 2006-07.

Police

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces in England have a mounted branch; and how many had such a branch in 1997.

Tony McNulty: There were 13 English police forces which employed officers whose primary role was the function "Mounted" as at 31 March 2006. It is not known whether these forces specifically had mounted branches. Data for 1997 are not available.

Police

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being put in place to stop vandalism of the National Police Memorial located on The Mall.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 26 October
	The National Police Memorial in the Mall sits within the jurisdiction of the Royal Parks. The area is covered by CCTV, which is fed into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and is patrolled hourly as part of the Government Security Zone by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from Charing Cross Police station.
	The Metropolitan police regularly review their tasking based on incidents and intelligence and will change their response should the circumstances require it.
	Addressing criminal damage is an important part of the strategy to meet the Home Office's target on reducing overall crime. Where criminal damage is a local priority, the Home Office is working with partners to identify and implement ways to tackle it.

Police

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers  (a) retired from service with and  (b) were recruited to the North Wales Police in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: This is a matter for the Chief Constable.

Prestwick Airport

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been  (a) arrested,  (b) charged and  (c) convicted for an offence in connection with entering Prestwick airport in each of the past six months; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Information on arrests made within Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

Prince's Trust

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which serving police officers have been seconded to work with the Prince's Trust; and for what purposes.

Tony McNulty: Secondments are a matter for individual forces and we do not hold the information.

Prison Rehabilitation

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners undertook treatment with the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and how many prisoners completed the Rehabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust's rehabilitation programme in England and Wales in each year.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows the number of prisoners treated by RAPt.
	
		
			   April 2001- March 2002  April 2002- March 2003  April 2003- March 2004  April 2004- March 2005( 1)  April 2005- March 2006 
			 CARATs(2) 4,757 5,962 6,244 6,296 12,161 
			 12-Step programme starts 572 709 643 682 767 
			 Completions(3) n/a n/a n/a 281 429 
			 (1 )Current contracts started from May 2005.  (2 )Prisoners undergoing an initial assessment in those prisons where RAPt had/has the contract to deliver the CARAT (counselling, assessment, referral, advice and throughcare) service.  (3 )Reliable figures on completions only collected nationally from September 2004.

Prison Sentencing

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recommendations made by the Home Affairs Committee in the report alternatives to prison sentences have been implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: All the recommendations in the Home Affairs Select Committee report, alternatives to prison sentences (July 1998) have been taken forward wholly or in part. The main thrust of the report is that prison should be targeted at dangerous and/or persistent offenders and that effective and credible no-custodial sentences, rigorously enforced, should be available for other offenders.
	The measures taken by the Government since 1998 include the introduction of a new sentencing framework, contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which provides sentencers with a more flexible community order that can be tailored to the individual offender and offence. Drug treatment and electronically monitored curfews are more widely available and enforcement of community orders has improved dramatically; the National Probation Service is meeting the requirement of National Standards that breach action is taken within 10 working days of an unacceptable failure to comply in about 90 per cent. of cases. A Community Payback scheme has been introduced to promote the use of unpaid work by offenders and to give local communities a say in what kinds of work offenders should do in their neighbourhood. A new suspended sentence order has been introduced for a wider number of cases. The 1998 Crime and Disorder Act introduced reforms that provided for reparation and/or restorative justice to be part of all youth justice disposals, including final warnings, referral orders, reparation orders, action plan orders and supervision orders. A National Enforcement Service has been established to improve fine collection and the efficient execution of warrants. Research has been published on the impact of correctional services' interventions on re-offending and more information is available to sentencers about sentencing patterns and outcomes of sentences.

Prisoners' Property

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that discharged prisoners may nominate an address to which their property will be sent.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is Prison Service policy that any property remaining in an establishment after discharge has to be collected by the prisoner. This is to ensure that the prisoner can confirm that all property recorded on the prison system has been returned.

Prisoners' Property

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the future arrangements will be for the disposal of the property of former prisoners that is not collected on their discharge by a court.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Current policy is set out in Prison Rule 43 (4) which states that: any article belonging to a prisoner which remains unclaimed for a period of more than three years after he leaves prison, or dies, may be sold or otherwise disposed of; and the net proceeds of any sale shall be paid to the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, for its general purposes. There are no immediate plans to alter this policy.

Prisons

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2006,  Official Report, column 885W, on prisoners, how many temporary release licences have been issued in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the numbers of prisoners released on temporary licence in England and Wales 1999 to 2004 can be found in table 10.6 in the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2004, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. Web versions of the tables can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1705section10.xls
	Figures for 2005 will be published in December.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and although shown to the last individual the figures may not be accurate to that level.

Prisons

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons the Government have commissioned since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Since 1997 we have increased prison capacity by around 19,700 places by expanding existing prisons and opening nine new prisons.
	HMP Bronzefield and HMP Peterborough were commissioned by the present Government and funded under the private finance initiative (PFI). Bronzefield opened in 2004 and Peterborough in 2005.
	Contracts for HMP Altcourse, HMP Parc and HMP Lowdham Grange were signed under the previous administration but were opened after May 1997. Planning for HMP Ashfield, HMP Forest Bank, HMP Dovegate and HMP Rye Hill was undertaken prior to May 1997, although funding for these prisons was approved by the present Government, with contract signatures taking place after May 1997.
	The Home Secretary announced, in July 2006, an additional 8,000 prison places. These places will be delivered through a mixture of expanding existing prisons and building a number of new prisons.

Prisons

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make publicly available the model used to calculate prison population projections for the Home Office Statistical Bulletin.

John Reid: The models used to calculate the current prison population projections are described in Annexe two of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/06, "Prison population projections 2006-2013, England and Wales", published on the Home Office website in July 2006. There are five elements to the modelling. In the very-short term (the first three months) the X12-ARIMA method developed by the USA Census Bureau is used. This method is publicly available at www.census.gov/srd/www/x12a/. In the short-term (between four months and two years) the population is modelled by a stock-and-flow model. This is not publicly available as it links to Prison Service databases that cannot be published. In the longer- term (between two and seven years) the Grove-Macleod model is used. This has been published in OR Insight Vol. 11 Issue one, January-March 1998, pp. 3-9, "Forecasting the prison population". More detail is also available in Occasional Paper 80, "Modelling crime and offending: recent developments in England and Wales" published on the Home Office website in 2003. The impacts of some changes in legislation and operational procedures are estimated using the Criminal Justice System Model and, if necessary, one-off bespoke calculations. The Criminal Justice System Model is owned by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform and is available to CJS practitioners but is not publicly available. Any one-off calculations are described in the above mentioned Home Office Statistical Bulletin.

Prisons

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of removing and transferring foreign national prisoners from Ford Prison on 26 May.

Liam Byrne: Operation Tornado is the Prison Service's mutual aid response for major incidents under which additional staff are deployed from other prisons to supplement the staff at the prison where the incident occurs. This was required in order to remove safely the 141 foreign national prisoners at Ford open prison on 26 May. The cost for providing Tornado support at an incident is covered by the sending establishment so it would only be possible to ascertain an accurate cost by contacting all the establishments involved individually. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 1915W, on prisons, if he will break down the capital cost by financial year in which it will be spent; and whether the expenditure has been agreed with HM Treasury;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis) of 18 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1290W, on criminal justice, how much of the construction relating to the 8,000 places will be  (a) begun and  (b) completed in each of the six years of his proposed building programme.

John Reid: The programme to deliver the 8,000 new prison places is still in development. The first places, however, are due for delivery in July 2007 and by the end of 2007 around 300 places will be operational. I am not able to provide a breakdown by year of the capital costs associated with the building programme.

Prisons

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been re-categorised from  (a) B to D and  (b) C to D in each of the last five years, broken down by month.

John Reid: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in prisons in England and Wales  (a) have a history of mental illness,  (b) receive treatment for mental illnesses,  (c) were previously children in care at any time during their lives and  (d) received a custodial sentence when they were juveniles.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The last survey on this issue conducted in 1988 (Psychiatric morbidity among prisoners in England and Wales Office for National Statistics, 1988) showed that 90 per cent. of prisoners have at least one significant mental health problem, including personality disorder, psychosis, neurosis, alcohol misuse and drug dependence. A copy is available in the Library.
	Mental health services for prisoners have been a key part of the Government's recent reforms of health services for prisoners. The Department of Health is now investing nearly £20 million a year in NHS mental health in-reach services for prisoners. These are community mental health teams working within prisons and are now available in 102 prisons, with some 360 extra staff employed. Every prison in England and Wales has access to these services. Information on how many prisoners receive these services is not collected centrally.
	Information is not collected centrally on the numbers of prisoners who were previously children in care, or who had been convicted when they were juveniles.

Prisons

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated  (a) cost and  (b) timetable is of the works to increase the size of the Mosque facilities at HMP Wandsworth.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 31 October 2006
	The estimated cost of the work is £20,000. Work will commence in the new year and is expected to be completed by April 2007.

Prisons

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down by  (a) nationality and  (b) ethnic origin the number of those admitted to prisons and young offender institutions in the last year for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information on the nationality and ethnicity of prisoners received into prison establishments in England and Wales for 2004 can be found in tables 7.4a and 7.5a in the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2004, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. Web versions of the tables can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb1705section7.xls
	Figures for 2005 will be published in December.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and although shown to the last individual the figures may not be accurate to that level.

Prisons

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of whether there is a relationship between prison overcrowding and re-offending rates.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There has been no assessment of the relationship between re-offending and prison overcrowding. For the most recent published information on re-offending please see 'Re-offending of adults: evidence from the 2002 cohort' at this link: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb2505.pdf

Probation Service

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of the National Probation Directorate; and what assessment he has made of future required staffing levels.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The resources and expertise of the National Probation Directorate will support the new Director of Performance and Improvement of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) in delivering system-wide improvement leading to better public protection and reduced re-offending.
	Future staffing levels within NOMS HQ will depend in part on the need to support probation areas in delivering on the demanding priorities of protecting the public and reducing re offending at the same time as preparing them for a world of commissioning and contestability and transition to probation trusts. This is in the context of a wider review, the aim of which is to create a smaller and more strategic NOMS HQ.

Proceeds of Crime Act

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) solicitors and  (b) accountants have been prosecuted for offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 since it came into effect.

Vernon Coaker: Data on the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform does not identify the profession of those prosecuted for offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Prolific and Priority Offenders

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what  (a) the role is and  (b) range of work carried out by the Prolific and Other Priority Offenders Clearing House at HM Prison Service headquarters; how many prolific and other priority offenders were notified to the Prison Service by the Crown Prosecution Service between April and June 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The role of the Clearing House is principally to ensure that prisons are informed which prisoners in their custody are prolific and other priority offenders.
	The Clearing House receives information on a weekly basis from JTrack (the police tracking system) about prolific and other priority offenders newly committed to custody, identifies which prisons they are in, and informs the prison accordingly, normally by email. It also provides prison number and prison location information to the Home Office PPO team in order that JTrack can be updated, responds to inquiries from both the police and establishments, and maintains an up-to-date list of police and establishment contacts.
	Between April and June 2006 the Clearing House was notified of 762 newly sentenced prolific and other priority offenders.

Prolific and Priority Offenders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of total recorded crime in England and Wales he estimates was committed by persistent and prolific offenders in the last five years.

John Reid: Previous analysis to the implementation of the programme suggested that 5,000 offenders are responsible for 9 per cent. of all crime. More specifically it is estimated that 10 per cent. of all active offenders are responsible for half of all crime (Home Office, 2001. Criminal Justice the way ahead. London: HMSO).
	Currently, there are 10,871 identified prolific and other priority offenders (PPOs) in England and Wales. The figure is taken from the quarterly PPO Headline Measures Report for the period April to June 2006, released on 30 June 2006 and published on the PPO website at:
	http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/ppo/ppominisite07.htm
	Research from the national PPO evaluation indicates that on average a PRO has 47 convictions in their criminal career. Furthermore, in the five years prior to entering the PRO programme, the PRO cohort had received on average 24 convictions, compared to 10 convictions for a general offender comparison group.
	The Interim Evaluation, published in October 2005 showed the early success of the programme—a 10 per cent. reduction in recorded convictions over six months for the first cohort of PPOs. We intend to publish shortly a full evaluation which will show the success of the programme over a longer time period (Home Office, 2005, Early findings from the Prolific and other Priority Offenders evaluation, Development and Practice Report 46: Home Office). We are also planning further work looking at the impact of PRO scheme on crime rates locally.

Proscribed Terrorist Groups

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to extend the list of proscribed terrorist groups.

Tony McNulty: The list of organisations proscribed in the UK is kept under regular review.

Released Prisoners (Supervision)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases the police do not know the current residential addresses of  (a) former convicted prisoners and  (b) foreign national prisoners who are subject to supervision following release.

Liam Byrne: The probation service notifies the police of the current address of those offenders it is supervising on licence. If an offender on licence disappears from his or her address the probation service applies to the Home Office to issue a warrant to the relevant police service. With the exception of some sex offenders, no information is held by probation or police services on prisoners or foreign national prisoners sentenced to less than a year in prison or on those whose supervision period has expired.
	In response to the Home Secretary's statement on 8 May work is under way to streamline the process for the deportation of foreign national offenders (the "Eight Point Plan"). It is intended that foreign national offenders will be identified as such and tracked through the criminal justice and immigration systems, with deportation in appropriate cases while they are still in prison or immediately on release.

Road Safety

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2144W, on road safety, what proportion of fines were  (a) issued after an offence was recorded on a traffic camera and  (b) fixed penalty notices issued by police officers to motorists.

Vernon Coaker: Available data on the amount of court fines issued for motoring offences detected by camera as a proportion of the total amount of court motoring fines are given in the table.
	The number of cases where fixed penalty notices were originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court cannot be identified separately.
	
		
			  Amount of court fines issued for motoring offences detected by camera as a proportion of the total amount of court fines issued for all motoring offences by region, 2000 to 2004 
			  Percentage 
			  Region  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004 
			 North East 6 6 8 7 10 
			 North West 2 2 3 3 2 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2 2 1 1 1 
			 East Midlands 3 5 7 11 9 
			 West Midlands 3 3 2 3 3 
			 East 5 9 12 10 7 
			 London 2 3 2 2 2 
			 South East 2 4 4 5 3 
			 South West 5 8 5 9 9 
			 Wales 3 5 6 7 9 
			  Notes: 1. Includes cases where a fixed penalty notice was originally issued but not paid and subsequently referred to court.  2. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. Work is under way to ensure that the magistrates courts' case management system currently being implemented by the Department for Constitutional Affairs reports all motoring offences to the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. This will enable more complete figures to be disseminated.  3. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Road Traffic Accidents (Cambridgeshire)

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many road traffic accidents in Cambridgeshire in each of the last 10 years involved  (a) speeding,  (b) driving under the influence of alcohol and  (c) unlicensed vehicles.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information is not collected centrally by my Department.

Secondment

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals working in his Department are on secondment from private companies; and if he will list their companies of origin.

John Reid: Secondments are part of the Interchange initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the civil service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: public, private and voluntary - although the majority of secondees in the Home Office come from the public and voluntary sectors. There are currently no individuals on secondment to the Home Office from private companies, although there are a number of individuals currently working in the Home Office on a consultancy basis.

Security Industry

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many doormen have  (a) applied for and  (b) been issued with a security industry authority licence since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force; what the backlog is for licences; what the cost of the individual is of acquiring a licence; and who is responsible for paying for a licence.

Tony McNulty: Between 11 April 2005, when the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (the 2001 Act) came into force for the door supervision sector, and 18 October 2006, the Security Industry Authority  (a) received 74,394 applications for door supervisor licences, of which  (b) 57,834 have been granted.
	There is currently no backlog in placing applications onto the SIA licensing system.
	The SIA licence fee is £190.
	The 2001 Act requires the applicant to pay the licence fee to the SIA. In practice, the employer often agrees to pay all or part of the fee.

Sex Offenders

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what details of residence a  (a) registered sex offender and  (b) other offender is obliged to supply to the court.

John Reid: The requirements for offenders to supply details of residence vary according offence type and sentence.
	 Offenders subject to sex offender notification (sex offender register).
	A person convicted of, cautioned for or in respect of whom a finding is made in relation to an offence listed in Schedule three to the Sex Offenders Act 2003 ("the Act") will become subject to the notification requirements of Part two of that Act. During the period for which they must comply with the notification requirements they must notify their home address to the police within three days of the date of conviction, caution or finding unless is detained or outside of the United Kingdom, in which case the three days runs from the end of that period of detention or return to the United Kingdom. "Home address" is defined in section 83(7) as meaning the address of his sole or main residence in the United Kingdom or, if there is no such residence, the address or location of a place in the United Kingdom where he can regularly be found and, if there is more than one such place, such one of those places as the person may select. Changes to home address must also be notified, within three days. Details of home address must also be updated to the police once a year."
	 Offenders subject to a community order or a suspended sentence
	Section 220 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 obliges an offender to keep in touch with the responsible officer including, expressly, notifying him of any change of address.
	 Offenders subject to prison licence conditions
	The standard conditions of licences, set out in the Criminal Justice (Sentencing) (Licence Conditions) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/3337) made under section 250 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, include residence at an address approved by the responsible officer and a duty to stay in touch with the responsible officer.

Speed Zones

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the non-enforcement by police of 20 mph zones.

John Reid: The information requested could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Spy Software

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to prevent spy software being installed on UK mobile networks; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: holding answer 23 March 2006
	Each mobile phone operator is responsible for the integrity of its own systems and has a duty of care to prevent illegal access to calls made on its networks. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 makes it illegal for a person to intercept the communications of another without lawful authority.

Tablighi Jammaat

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether  (a) Ministers and  (b) others in his Department have met representatives of Tablighi Jammaat during the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: As far as I am aware, there have been no meetings between Ministers or officials and representatives of Tablighi Jammaat in the last three years.

Tax Credits (Fraud)

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action his Department is taking in conjunction with HM Revenue and Customs to reduce suspected organised fraud of the tax credits system.

Vernon Coaker: I refer the hon. Gentleman to HMRC's document "Tackling Error and Fraud in the Child and Working Tax Credits" which is available at www.hmrc.gov.uk, in particular paragraphs 43 and 44.

Terrorism

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer provided by the Minister of State on 18 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2490W, what factors he took into account when deciding not to collect data on the length of time a suspect is held under terror legislation before they are charged or released.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 19 October 2006
	Information on the use of the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006 is collated by the Metropolitan Police Service, not the Home Office. Statistics on the length of time an individual is held under terror legislation is available. However to have produced the information in the form requested, in the previous parliamentary question, would have incurred disproportionate costs.

Terrorism

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many detained without charge under the most recent anti-terrorist legislation have been held for  (a) longer than 14 days,  (b) longer than 21 days and  (c) up to the maximum 28 days.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 19 October 2006
	The maximum period of detention pre-charge was extended to 28 days with effect from 25 July 2006. Statistics compiled from police records show that until 30 September 2006, nine people were held for longer than 14 days. Of these nine individuals, five were held for longer than 21 days of which four were held for the maximum 28 days.

Terrorism

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce amendments to terror legislation to allow the use of interview after charge.

John Reid: The Government keep all counter-terrorism legislation under review to ensure that it continues to meet the threat from terrorism that we face. As I announced on 28 September, I am currently undertaking a wide-ranging review of the United Kingdom's counter-terrorism strategy and this will include looking at existing legislation. I will update the House on the outcome of the review in due course.

Terrorism

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to assess the involvement of far-right political groups in terrorist activities.

Tony McNulty: The actions of far-right groups are currently monitored by the police's National Public Order Intelligence Unit. There is no current evidence of far-right terrorist capacity in the UK or links to terrorist activity.

Terrorism

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources his Department has allocated to the prevention of fascist and far-right terrorism.

Tony McNulty: In 2006-07 the Home Office has made a provision of over £460 million to the Police Service to increase its counter terrorism capability. There are a number of UK-based extremist groups motivated by domestic causes.

Theft (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people were arrested for shoplifting in Chorley in the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many people were arrested for car theft in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is not available centrally. Information on arrests held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform is based on persons arrested for recorded crime "notifiable offences" by main offence group (i.e. theft and handling stolen goods, drugs, robbery, violence against the person, burglary etc.) at police force area only. Information is therefore not available to the detail required.

Under-age Drinking

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of fixed penalty notices for proxy purchase relating to underage drinking.

Vernon Coaker: No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of fixed penalty notices for the offence of proxy purchase of alcohol for individuals aged under 18 on tackling the problem of underage drinking. Fixed penalties for the offence of purchasing alcohol for underage consumption were introduced as part of the penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme established under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The PND scheme, which was piloted in 2002, was rolled out to all police forces in England and Wales in 2004. In November 2004 the scheme was widened to include proxy purchase offences of buying or attempting to buy alcohol on behalf of an individual aged under-eighteen. 84 PNDs were issued for these related offences in 2004; 253 in 2005 and 245 for the first half of 2006 (provisional).

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was taken to require budget reductions to cover the budget deficit of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust; what discussions he has had with members of the Trust on the recent budget reductions; and what assessment he has made of the effect on patients of the planned reductions.

Andy Burnham: I have been asked to reply.
	The board of the University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust (UHL) agreed a package of savings at their board meeting on 5 October 2006. The trust board also discussed making further savings at an extraordinary board meeting on 19 October 2006.
	My right hon. Friend has had no discussions with members of the trust on budget issues in her role as Secretary of State for Health. However, as a Member for a Leicester constituency, she does have a range of discussions with the trust and others on local matters. This has included meetings with the chief executive, the chairman and the director of strategic development of the trust on a number of occasions throughout the year.
	Responsibility for local health services now lies with the local NHS and decisions on the configuration of local health services are taken at a local level.
	Responsibility for local health services now lies with the local NHS and decisions on the configuration of local health services are taken at a local level.

US-UK Extradition Treaty

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there was reference to negotiations on a US-UK extradition treaty in ministerial briefing papers provided by the Department in 2002 in preparation for debates on the Extradition Bill.

John Reid: Official advice to Ministers is covered by the principle of confidentiality.

Victim Support

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding was given to Victim Support in each of the last 20 years at today's prices  (a) in total and  (b) for each police authority area.

Tony McNulty: The following table shows the Home Office grant to Victim Support for the past 20 years, at today's prices, as deflated by the GDP deflator on the HMT website (as of 26 October 2006).
	The Home Office makes the grant nationally and Victim Support distributes it locally. The Home Office does not keep records of the amounts given for each police authority area.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Funding year  To Victim Support  Today's price 
			 1986-87 0.29 0.58 
			 1987-88 1.76 3.37 
			 1988-89 2.74 4.90 
			 1989-90 3.91 6.52 
			 1990-91 4.74 7.32 
			 1991-92 5.67 8.26 
			 1992-93 7.26 10.25 
			 1993-94 8.38 11.52 
			 1994-95 10.02 13.58 
			 1995-96 10.82 14.23 
			 1996-97 11.68 14.87 
			 1997-98 12.68 15.68 
			 1998-99 12.68 15.29 
			 1999-2000 17.50 20.69 
			 2000-01 18.55 21.62 
			 2001-02 25.05 28.52 
			 2002-03 29.30 32.36 
			 2003-04 30.00 32.18 
			 2004-05 30.00 31.32 
			 2005-06 30.00 30.73 
			 2006-07 30.00 30.00

Violent Assaults

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the police take to investigate violent assaults images of which have been posted onto the internet; how many prosecutions have resulted from such investigations in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The police investigate violent assaults, images of which have been posted onto the internet, in the same way in which they undertake any criminal investigation. They have a duty to investigate any report or allegation of a criminal offence having been committed, and will seek to obtain evidence of the alleged offence. Then, in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, they will decide whether they have sufficient evidence to proceed with a prosecution, and whether it is in the public interest to do so.
	It is not possible to identify violent assaults, images of which have been posted onto the internet, as a separate category, and therefore not possible to provide information on how many prosecutions have resulted from such investigations in each of the last five years.

Violent Crime

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what offences are categorised as violent crime; and what the criteria are for such categorisation.

Tony McNulty: For the purposes of the recorded crime statistics, violent crime comprises of the offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery. Broadly, the criteria used for determining if a crime is deemed to be 'violent' is that an offence has been committed directly against the person as opposed to offences where property is involved such as burglary, theft offences or criminal damage. Robbery is included in 'Violent' crime as it involves force or the threat of force in addition to the property element. The list of offences and their standard notifiable offence codes are as follows:
	1.Murder.
	4.1Manslaughter.
	4.2Infanticide.
	2.Attempted murder.
	3.Threat or conspiracy to murder.
	4.3Child destruction.
	4.4Causing death by dangerous driving.
	4.6Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
	4.7Causing or allowing death of a child or vulnerable person.
	5.More serious wounding or other act endangering life.
	6.Endangering a railway passenger.
	37.1Causing death by aggravated vehicle taking.
	7.Endangering life at sea.
	8A.Less serious wounding.
	8B.Possession of weapons.
	8C.Harassment.
	8D.Racially or religiously aggravated less serious wounding.
	8E.Racially or religiously aggravated harassment.
	11.Cruelty to and neglect of children.
	12.Abandoning a child under the age of two years.
	13.Child abduction.
	14.Procuring illegal abortion.
	15.Concealment of birth.
	104.Assault on a constable.
	105A.Common assault
	105B.Racially or religiously aggravated common assault.
	16.Buggery—repealed with effect from May 2004.
	17.IIndecent assault on a male—with effect from May 2004 split into:
	17ASexual assault on a male aged 13 and over.
	17B.Sexual assault on a male child under 13.
	18.Gross indecency between males—repealed with effect from May 2004
	19A.Rape of a female—with effect from May 2004 split into:
	19C.Rape of a female aged 16 and over.
	19D.Rape of a female child under 16.
	19E.Rape of a female child under 13.
	19B.Rape of a male—with effect from May 2004 split into:
	19F.Rape of a male aged 16 and over.
	19G.Rape of a male child under 16.
	19H.Rape of a male child under 13.
	20.Indecent assault on a female—with effect from May 2004 split into:
	20A.Sexual assault on a female aged 13 and over.
	20B.Sexual assault on a female child under 13.
	21.Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13—up until May 2004.
	21Sexual activity involving a child under 13—with effect from May 2004.
	22.Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16—repealed with effect from May 2004.
	22A.Causing sexual activity without consent—with effect from May 2004.
	22B.Sexual activity involving a child under 16—with effect from May 2004.
	23.Incest—re-titled with effect from May 2004.
	23.Familial sexual offences—with effect from May 2004 (previously incest).
	24.Exploitation of prostitution.
	25.Abduction—repealed with effect from May 2004.
	26.Bigamy.
	27.Soliciting of women by men.
	70.Sexual activity etc. with a person with a mental disorder—with effect from May 2004.
	71.Abuse of children through prostitution and pornography—with effect from May 2004.
	72.Trafficking for sexual exploitation—with effect from May 2004.
	73.Abuse of position of trust.
	73.Abuse of trust—with effect from May 2004.
	74.Gross indecency with a child—repealed with effect from May 2004.
	88A.Sexual grooming—with effect from May 2004.
	88B.Other miscellaneous sexual offences—with effect from May 2004.
	34A.Robbery of business property.
	34B.Robbery of personal property.

Visas

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 254W, on visas, when his Department will issue the appeal determination to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; what the reasons are for the delay in issuing the determination to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Determinations are normally forwarded to overseas posts as soon as appeal rights are concluded. Copies were sent on 2 November.

Young Offenders

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) suicides,  (b) attempted suicides and  (c) cases of self-harm there have been in young offender institutions in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested with respect to apparent self-inflicted deaths is shown in table 1.
	There is no definition of what constitutes an attempted suicide, as it is very difficult to measure suicidal intent.
	The information requested with respect to recorded incidents of self-harm is shown in the table 2.
	
		
			  Table 1: Self-inflicted deaths 
			   Number 
			 2001 7 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 4 
			 2005 9 
			  Note:  The table above shows the number of apparent self-inflicted deaths. This includes all deaths where it appears the individual acted specifically to take their own life, not only those that received a suicide or open verdict at inquest. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Incidents of self-harm 
			   Number 
			 2001 800 
			 2002 900 
			 2003 1,600 
			 2004 1,800 
			 2005 1,900 
			  Note:  The system for recording incidents in prisons (IRS) copes with large volumes of data and is constantly being updated. As numbers of self-harm incidents cannot therefore be treated as absolute the figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Additionally, a new form for reporting self-harm (F213SH) was introduced in December 2002. The rise in reported self-harm from 2003 may therefore partly reflect improved reporting rather than an actual increase in self-harm incidents. Self harm from one prison which re-rolled to a YOI in 2003 has been included for the whole period.

Young Offenders

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of young people under 18 have been classed as serious and persistent offenders in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A persistent young offender is a young person aged between 10-17 who has been sentenced by any criminal court in the UK on three or more separate occasions for one or more recordable offence, and within three years of the last sentencing occasion is subsequently arrested or has an information laid against them for a further recordable offence.
	The following table details for the last five years:
	The number of persistent young offenders,
	The percentage change in the number of persistent young offenders
	The percentage of persistent young offenders in the 10-18 population
	The number of persistent young offender cases dealt with through the courts
	This table is based on an analysis of all recordable offences. No further breakdown is available.
	
		
			  Period  Number of PYOs  Percentage change in the number of PYOs  The percentage of PYOs in the 10-18 population  Number of cases 
			 2001 13,854 5.8 0.23 25,393 
			 2002 14,244 2.82 0.23 26,116 
			 2003 14,242 -0.01 0.23 26,083 
			 2004 14,403 1.13 0.23 26,363 
			 2005 14,725 2.24 0.24 27,037

Young Offenders

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people in young offender institutions have special educational needs.

Phil Hope: I have been asked to reply.
	Information from the Youth Justice Board's ASSET system shows that 25 per cent. of young people in custody have identified special educational needs and, of that group, 60 per cent. have formal statements of special educational need. This information relates only to those aged under 18.

DEFENCE

ABCA Armies Standardisation Programme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the ABCA Armies Standardisation Programme; and what recent measures have been taken in pursuit of the objectives of this programme.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 6 November 2006
	The American, British, Canadian and Australian armies standardisation programme (ABCA) is a forum in which the US, UK, Canadian, Australian and, since March 2006, New Zealand armies aim to optimise interoperability. This is achieved through cooperation and collaboration, in the continuous pursuit of standardisation and mutual understanding, in order to integrate the capabilities of the ABCA armies in coalition operations.
	In 2006, the five ABCA capability groups and three support groups have held 20 meetings and have produced seven standards, 17 publications, 21 reports and one architecture.
	Specifically, ABCA sponsored a coalition lessons analysis workshop (August 2006), a multilateral interoperability programme functionality test (September 2006) and an interoperability gap analysis seminar (September 2006). The ABCA executive council meeting took place on 2 November in the United States. The assistant chief of the general staff represented the UK.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service women requested an abortion while stationed overseas in each of the last three years, broken down by  (a) the age of the woman,  (b) the grounds of the abortion,  (c) the gestation of the pregnancy,  (d) the procedures used and  (e) whether the operation was performed.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not collate statistics on the number of pregnancy terminations requested by service women while posted overseas, nor on the number of terminations performed.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is towards a request by service women for an abortion; where such operations are performed; whether additional leave is granted; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The Department's policy on abortion is consistent with that of the UK as a whole which is defined by the Abortion Act 1967, as amended.
	As with all secondary care for service personnel, termination of pregnancy may in theory be carried out in any NHS Trust in the UK.
	Additional leave can be given on a case-by-case basis but there is no entitlement to it.

Absence without Leave

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of soldiers of 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment were absent without leave (AWOL) on  (a) 1 July 2006,  (b) 1 September 2006 and  (c) 1 May 2006; how many individuals AWOL on each date had been so for (i) seven days or more, (ii) 28 days or more and (iii) 56 days or more; how many individuals have been subject to disciplinary action for being AWOL since 1 May 2006; and how many individuals have been subject to each penalty imposed.

Derek Twigg: The numbers of soldiers absent without leave from 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment (2RWELSH) were as follows:
	
		
			   1 May 2006  1 July 2006  1 September 2006 
			  Total
			 Number 10 16 8 
			 Percentage(1) 1.67 2.67 1.3 
			 
			  Days
			 <7 2 1 0 
			 7-27 2 8 0 
			 28-55 1 2 1 
			 56+ 5 5 7 
			 (1) Based on current battalion strength of 601 
		
	
	Since 1 May 2006, 21 soldiers from 2RWELSH have been subject to disciplinary action for the offence of AWOL. There has been one award of restrictions of privileges and 20 awards of detention.
	In addition, a further three are awaiting court-martial and one soldier is awaiting summary dealing.

Afghanistan

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training infantry units likely to be committed to Afghanistan have received to enable them to cope with the terrain in their potential areas of operations.

Adam Ingram: Training is conducted in two ways to ensure that troops are prepared for operations. First, units will conduct generic high intensity training to prepare forces for the most demanding operation. This is achieved on progressive training exercises that will increase in size, tempo and complexity. Exercise locations for this training are diverse, and include both the UK and overseas training areas. Therefore, at the conclusion of their training programme infantry battalions will have trained in differing environments.
	Once force elements have been identified for operations, they are provided with theatre specific training which ensures units are cohesively trained, prepared for the threat and culture they are likely to experience, and also the terrain.

Afghanistan

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many opium farmers in Afghanistan have been paid to destroy their crops in each of the last five years; at what cost in each year; and how many cheques have not been honoured.

Adam Ingram: Compensated eradication was never seen as a long-term solution to drug control and does not form part of the present Afghan government's national drug control strategy. From 2003 to 2006 eradication has not been compensated. In 2002 the Afghan interim administration considered it appropriate to offer farmers one-off payments because the 2002 crop was planted before it came to power. The UK Government provided £21.25 million in support of the Afghan administration's 2002 compensated eradication programme. We provided support because we believed it was important to support a new regime determined to take tough decisions to tackle drugs, but it was nonetheless the responsibility of the Afghan authorities to implement the programme.
	We understand from the Afghan authorities that a total of 17,000 hectares of poppy was eradicated under the 2002 programme. The number of farmers compensated and the implementation of the programme is a matter for the Afghan government.

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provisions are in place for compensation for Afghan civilians killed, wounded or otherwise harmed during ISAF operations.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 99-100W.

Afghanistan

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to support  (a) young soldiers and  (b) those engaged in their first mission in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: All personnel deploying on operations to Afghanistan undergo a comprehensive, specific to theatre, mandatory training package to prepare them for their deployment. The Army trains and leads its personnel throughout their military careers to ensure they are ready for the tasks they will encounter.
	The UK signed up to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Right of the Child, and Operational and Non-Operational Deployment of Under 18s in September 2000. As a result, the Army avoids deploying under 18-year-olds on operational tours.
	The welfare and support of personnel, regardless of age or the number of operational tours they have undertaken, is the responsibility of the chain of command. The regimental system ensures that personnel look after one another and that individuals know where to go in order to seek support, both within and outside the chain of command.
	Recent improvements have been made to the Operational Welfare Package, the aim of which is to maintain the strength and morale of service personnel in order to optimise and maintain operational effectiveness. It does so by providing support for the physical and emotional well-being of service personnel deployed on operations. Recent improvements to the package include an increase in the free weekly telephone calls from 20 to 30 minutes and operational bonus. Other benefits of the package include free e-mails facility, free "blueys" (mail), free packages from families to personnel of up to 2 kg over the Christmas period and up to 14 days rest and recuperation break during a six-month tour.

Afghanistan

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on employing mercenaries in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The MOD does not employ mercenaries.

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what NATO's policy is on the payment of funds to armed groups in Afghanistan for security purposes.

Des Browne: Under the long-established principle that costs should "lie where they fall", the majority of costs associated with NATO operations are the responsibility of the individual contributing nations, not the alliance. While the alliance has contracted private security companies in some instances, it is not currently doing so in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many militants have been captured in Afghanistan in each of the past 12 months, broken down by nationality.

Des Browne: As of 30 September, 18 people had been detained by British forces in Afghanistan during the past 12 months; four in July and 14 in September.
	Due to the short time detainees are held by British forces before being transferred to the Government of Afghanistan or released, it is not possible to obtain accurate records of detainees' nationalities.

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths of  (a) civilians and  (b) militants resulted from NATO activity in Afghanistan in each of the last six months.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 2 November 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 October 2006,  Official Report, column 2013W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Jeremy Corbyn).

Afghanistan

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers serving in Afghanistan are from  (a) Coventry, South and  (b) the West Midlands region.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 6 November 2006
	Data on the residential location of armed forces personnel are not held centrally in databases of individual records and it is therefore not possible to give figures by place of residence.

Afghanistan

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are being interned by British forces in Afghanistan because they are perceived to be a threat to international security assistance force forces; and for how long each has been held.

Adam Ingram: In Afghanistan, British forces does not intern prisoners, they are detained. Detainees are a category of prisoner distinct from prisoners of war and internees. Detainees are those individuals who, during operations abroad not amounting to International Armed Conflict, are held by UK armed forces because they have committed, or are suspected of committing criminal offences.

Afghanistan

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to ensure that members of the armed forces in Afghanistan receive winter warfare clothing.

Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additional winter clothing is being supplied to the soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given on 12 September 2006,  Official Report, column 2342W, to the hon. Member for Forest of Dean (Mr. Harper).
	All UK armed forces currently serving in Afghanistan have been issued with a winter clothing supplement.

Afghanistan/Iraq

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many soldiers serving in Afghanistan are from  (a) Wales and  (b) Aberavon constituency;
	(2)  how many soldiers serving in Iraq are from  (a) Wales and  (b) Aberavon constituency.

Derek Twigg: Data on the residential location of armed forces personnel are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Air Transport

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans there are to deploy a Chinook helicopter in the Falkland Islands;
	(2)  what plans there are for heavy lift capability in the Falkland Islands.

Adam Ingram: The return of the Chinook (removed from the Falkland Islands to help meet a requirement in Afghanistan) remains under review in the context of wider Defence commitments and the higher priority currently attached to this type of aircraft tasking elsewhere. In addition, a review of how to deliver the continued heavy lift capability and transport needs in the Falklands is underway.

Aircraft Activity

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft activity for which his Department was responsible there was in the Bude and Holsworthy area on 26 October.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 2 November 2006
	There were 30 military jet/transport aircraft authorised to conduct low level training in Low Flying Area 2 which is part of the United Kingdom Low Flying System on 26 October. LFA 2 covers the areas of Devon, Dorset, Somerset, east Cornwall, southwest Gloucestershire and northwest Wiltshire. Military aircraft are judged to be low flying when in the case of fixed wing aircraft they are at less than 2,000 ft minimum separation distance (msd) and in the case of helicopters, they are at less than 500 feet msd.

Amputees

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British servicemen and women have become amputees on active service in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: Information on the number of British servicemen and women serving in Iraq or Afghanistan who have become amputees on active service is not held centrally. To find this number would require the examination of the individual medical records of each patient who has been classified as Very Seriously Injured (VSI) or Seriously Injured (SI) in each theatre. These records can only be viewed for non-clinical reasons with the express consent of the individual concerned, to protect patient confidentiality.
	The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq from March 2003 and Afghanistan from 1 January 2006. The centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/OperationsInIraqBritishCasualties.htm. The method of reporting for Iraq was changed slightly at the end of 2005 so figures are quoted separately for before and after 1 January 2006.

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many goats have been used in experiments commissioned by his Department in each year since 2000; for what purposes they have been used; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The hyperbaric research programme at QinetiQ Alverstoke is the only programme commissioned by the Ministry of Defence that utilises goats. The research programme advises on safe procedures and treatments for submariners escaping from a disabled submarine. The licence for this research issued by the Home Office requires that the number of procedures carried out on the animals is reported each year. The data are presented in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of procedures 
			 2000 80 
			 2001 53 
			 2002 50 
			 2003 75 
			 2004 27 
			 2005 64 
			 2006(1) 57 
			 (1 )Number of procedures to date.

Council Tax

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on exempting members of the armed forces from council tax while they are posted overseas.

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister's answer of 11 October 2006,  Official Report, column 298, what progress has been made in discussions between his Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government on proposals to exempt members of the armed forces from paying council tax.

Derek Twigg: The MOD is discussing with the Department for Communities and Local Government how best to provide support for the council tax costs of Service personnel on operations overseas.

Armoured Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the impact of  (a) extra armour and  (b) other additional features on the ability of the Cougar vehicle to withstand explosive devices.

Adam Ingram: To safeguard our and our allies' troops, we do not comment on the detail of our vehicles' protection levels. However, the key threats currently faced in Iraq and Afghanistan were fully considered in the decision to fit additional armour to MASTIFF (the UK name for the Cougar vehicles we are procuring from the US).

Armoured Vehicles

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent orders his Department has placed for armoured vehicles; and with which companies.

Adam Ingram: Orders have been placed for armoured vehicles as follows:
	
		
			  Vehicle  Number on order  Company 
			 Mastiff 6x6 Protected Patrol Vehicle 108 Force Protection Industries Inc. 
			 Vector 6x6 Protected Patrol Vehicle 166 Pinzgauer Ltd. 
			 Armoured 4x4 Mercedes G Wagon 4 Security Support Solutions Ltd. 
			 Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle 401 BAES 
			 Trojan Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineer 33 BAES 
			 Titan Armoured Vehicle Layer Bridge 33 BAES 
			 Terrier Armoured Earthmoving Vehicle 65 BAES

Army (Deployments)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the last three operational deployments were of  (a) 40 Commando,  (b) 42 Commando,  (c) 45 Commando and  (d) 28 Regiment Royal Engineers; and what the length of time was between each such deployment.

Adam Ingram: The last three operational deployments of 40 Commando, 42 Commando and 45 Commando are set out in the following table. Figures in brackets indicate the length of time between the deployments.
	
		
			  Operational deployments 
			   1  2  3 
			 40 Commando RM July 2004-January 2005 Operation Telic 4 (Iraq) (14 months) January-May 2003 Operation Telic 1 (Iraq) (6 months) January-May 2002 Operation Damian (Afghanistan) 
			 42 Commando RM Since October 2006 Operation Herrick 5 (Afghanistan) (38 months) January 2003-May 2003 Operation Telic 1 (Iraq) (4 months) March 2002- September 2002 Operation Banner (Northern Ireland) 
			 45 Commando RM Since October 2006 Operation Herrick 5 (Afghanistan) (28 months) November 2003-May 2004 Operation Banner (Northern Ireland) (5 months) January-May 2003 Operation Telic 1 (Iraq) 
		
	
	In addition:
	(1) Two companies from 40 Commando were operationally deployed in 2006, one to Op Herrick March 2006 to Aug 2006, and one to Op Telic April 2006 to August 2006.
	(2) One company from 42 Commando was operationally deployed on Op Herrick from February to April 2006.
	(3) 42 Commando was the lead commando group from June 2005 to June 2006, and 40 Commando has been the lead commando group since June 2006. This group, although not deployed on operations, is held at very high readiness with a liability for global deployment at short notice.
	Deployments undertaken by 28 Regiment Royal Engineers are normally conducted at sub-unit level and below, and vary in duration and composition of personnel involved. Further, elements of the regiment can be deployed to more than one operational theatre at any one time.
	The last three operational deployments conducted by elements of the regiment
	are:
	
		
			  Operational deployments 
			   1  2  3 
			 28 Regiment Royal Engineers Since September 2006 Operation Herrick (Afghanistan) May 2006-November 2006 Operation Herrick, and Operation Telic (Afghanistan and Iraq) March 2005-September 2005 Operation Banner (Northern Ireland)

Army Recruitment

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of those who have passed the Army's Regular Commissioning Board interview since 2003 have  (a) entered Sandhurst Military Academy and  (b) completed their training at the Academy.

Derek Twigg: Since financial year 2003-04, 3,210 individuals have passed the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB). Of these, 680 have entered training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), with 310 to date having completed their training and joined the Field Army as commissioned officers.
	Many of those who have passed AOSB since financial year 2003-04 will still be in education and will not begin their training until they have completed their studies. Some of these AOSB passes also include candidates who have passed the Scholarship/Welbeck Boards at age 15/16. These candidates will not attend officer training for up to seven years.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment  (a) has conducted and  (b) is conducting studies of a hydrodynamic testing facility involving fix x-ray machines.

Des Browne: As part of the site development strategy at the Atomic Weapons Establishment a study has been initiated into refurbishing and rebuilding the existing hydrodynamics research facilities. It is likely that any new facilities will involve the use of flash x-rays. The study is ongoing.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment has conducted studies of the use of hydrodynamic test facilities for maintaining the security and reliability of the UK nuclear deterrent.

Des Browne: Hydrodynamics testing is an essential element of the nuclear warhead assurance programme. An article on stockpile stewardship was published in 'Nature' on 21 February 2002 which included explanations on the need for hydrodynamic trials in the comprehensive test ban treaty era.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Atomic Weapons Establishment is considering new hydrodynamic testing facilities.

Des Browne: We are replacing facilities as necessary to maintain the safety and reliability of the UK stockpile.

Atomic Weapons Establishment

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) scientists,  (b) engineers and  (c) technicians the Atomic Weapons Establishment is planning to hire over the next five years; and in what areas of expertise.

Des Browne: Based upon current contract assumptions, AWE plc is planning to recruit in the order of  (a) 60 scientists,  (b) 180 engineers, and  (c) 50 technical support personnel in each of the next two years. The areas of expertise are diverse, and will include chemistry, computer science, materials science, nuclear physics, chemical engineering, decommissioning and waste management, civil engineering, manufacturing, metallurgy, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering, assurance, laboratory support and IT/telecommunications. The company has indicated that it has not formulated any firm plans for recruitment beyond this period.

Briefing Packs

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the briefing packs provided by his Department to  (a) Mr. Bill Jeffrey CB,  (b) Sir Peter Spencer KCB and  (c) Lt. General Sir Robert Fulton KBE prior to their evidence session before the Public Accounts Committee on 1 February.

Derek Twigg: No. I have concluded that their disclosure would prejudice the effective conduct of public affairs and would, or would be likely to, inhibit the free and frank provision of advice to Ministers and officials.

Captain Daniel Wright

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which recommendations from the report on the death of Captain Daniel Wright have been implemented.

Derek Twigg: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Casualty Statistics

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel have been  (a) killed and  (b) wounded in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) Iraq since the commencement of hostilities.

Adam Ingram: The best currently available centrally held records on the numbers of service personnel killed or injured in Iraq and Afghanistan are published on the Ministry of Defence website:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets.
	As at 7 November 2006, a total of 121 British armed forces personnel have died serving on Operation Telic since the start of the campaign in March 2003.
	The method of reporting casualties was changed slightly at the end of 2005 so figures are quoted separately for before and after 1 January 2006:
	For the period from March 2003 to 31 December 2005, centrally available remaining records show that some 230 UK military and civilian personnel were treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action. These figures are derived from the best records currently held centrally but do not include those who may have been treated in the medical facilities of Coalition partners.
	Separate records, from Notification of Casualty reporting (NOTICAS), show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel have been categorised as Very Seriously Injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel have been categorised as Seriously Injured (SI) from all causes. These figures include personnel treated for wounds received as a result of hostile action.
	Up to 4,000 UK military and civilian personnel (including a small number of Iraqis) have been medically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	The total number of UK military and civilian personnel who were treated at the Shaibah "Role 3" Field Hospital was 6,609. Of these 226 were categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action, and 6,383 were categorised as suffering Disease or Non-Battle Injury.
	For the period from 1 January to 30 September 2006, centrally available records show that:
	47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility in Iraq and categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
	855 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility for Disease or Non Battle Injuries.
	3 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
	7 UK military and civilian personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
	553 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	As at 7 November 2006, a total of 41 British forces personnel have died while serving in Afghanistan since the start of operations in November 2001. Work is ongoing to ascertain whether casualty figures for Afghanistan pre-2006 are sufficiently robust to be published in alignment with those for Iraq.
	For the period 1 January 2006 to 30 September 2006, centrally available records show that:
	70 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK and Coalition medical facilities and categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
	53 UK military and civilian Personnel were admitted to UK and Coalition medical facilities for non-battle injuries.
	14 UK personnel were categorised as Very Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
	9 UK personnel were categorised as Seriously Injured from all causes excluding disease.
	198 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds, whatever the reason.

Casualty Statistics

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been  (a) killed and  (b) seriously wounded in action since May 1997.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 5 October 2006
	Between May 1997 and October 2006, a total of 114 UK armed forces personnel were killed in action during operations overseas. In addition, one serviceman is known to have died as a result of terrorist activities in Northern Ireland during this period.
	The Ministry of Defence provides data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, dating from March 2003 for Iraq and January 2006 for Afghanistan. These statistics are published on the Defence website (every month, one month in arrears), along with those for all fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan which are updated shortly after they occur, and are available at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets/.
	Further work is being undertaken to collate and reconcile data relating to casualties which have occurred in Afghanistan before 1 January 2006.
	For other medium-sized operations since May 1997, such as Sierra Leone and the Balkans, data on casualties have not been centrally compiled. We are exploring the feasibility off collating data for these deployments so they may be published. I will write to the right hon. and learned Member when work is complete, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Casualty Statistics

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have been wounded on operations in  (a) Afghanistan,  (b) Iraq and  (c) other theatres in each month since January 2005.

Derek Twigg: The best centrally held records, currently available, on the numbers of service personnel wounded on operations in Iraq since March 2003 and Afghanistan since January 2006 are published on the Ministry of Defence website (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets). Work is ongoing to ascertain whether casualty data for Afghanistan pre-2006 is sufficiently robust to enable figures to be published in the same format as for Iraq.
	For the period between 1 January 2006 and 30 September 2006:
	70 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK and Coalition medical facilities categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
	53 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to UK and Coalition medical facilities for non-battle injuries.
	14 UK personnel were categorised as very seriously injured from all causes excluding disease.
	9 UK personnel were categorised as seriously injured from all causes excluding disease.
	198 UK personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Afghanistan on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	The numbers of personnel SI or VSI from all causes excluding disease is broken down by month in table 1. The figures do not include personnel who subsequently died of their wounds. It is important to note that when the end of the reporting week rolls over into the next calendar month, the statistics for that week will not be reported until the end of the following month. This means that the statistics for August do not account for casualties sustained in the final week of the month—a period in which several UK soldiers were seriously injured in contacts with the Taliban. The statistics alling in to the reporting month of October are still being cross checked to ensure they are accurate, and will be published shortly.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of SI and VSI Op. Herrick military and civilian casualties from all causes excluding disease (1 January 2006-30 September 2006) 
			  Month  Total 
			 January 2006 0 
			 February 0 
			 March 0 
			 April 3 
			 May 0 
			 June 3 
			 July 3 
			 August 4 
			 September 10 
			 Total 23 
		
	
	Between March 2003 and 31 December 2005, 230 UK military and civilian personnel were treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action. These figures are derived from the best records currently held centrally but do not include those who may have been treated in the medical facilities of Coalition partners.
	Separate records from the notification of casualty reporting system, for the same period in Iraq, show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel were categorised as very seriously injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel were categorised as seriously injured (SI) from all causes including as a result of hostile action. Historic records do not contain sufficient data to allow us to break the figures down any further.
	Since the beginning of 2006, we have sought to collect better information on those suffering wounds as a result of operations. Between 1 January and 30 September 2006:
	47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility in Iraq and categorised as Wounded in Action, including as a result of hostile action.
	855 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility for Disease or Non Battle Injuries.
	3 UK personnel were categorised as very seriously injured from all causes excluding disease.
	7 UK military and civilian personnel were categorised as seriously injured from all causes excluding disease.
	553 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	The monthly breakdown for those SI and VSI from all causes excluding disease is given in table 2.
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of SI and VSI Op. Telic military and civilian casualties from all causes excluding disease (1 January 2006-30 September 2006) 
			  Month  Total 
			 January 2006 2 
			 February 0 
			 March 1 
			 April 1 
			 May 1 
			 June 1 
			 July 2 
			 August 1 
			 September 1 
			 Total 10 
		
	
	We are currently working to establish the feasibility of publishing statistics for casualties in other areas of deployment.

Cluster Munitions

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish information on cluster munitions stocks held by the UK.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Cluster Munitions  Variant 
			 Army Shell 155mm High Explosive Extended Range Bomlet Shell L120 
			  Rocket Pod 298mm HE26 Multiple Launch Rocket System 
			  Shell 155mm High Explosive M483 (out of service) 
			  CRV7 C17/M261 Multi Purpose Sub Munition 
			 RAF BL755 
			  IBL755 (out of service) 
			  Radar BL755 
		
	
	Information on quantities of in service ammunition is operationally sensitive and as such is withheld as disclosure would not be in the national interest.

Cluster Munitions

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Westmoreland and Lonsdale (Tim Farron) of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 11, on cluster munitions, what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government on its use of cluster munitions.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 6 November 2006
	In September of this year, we held discussions about unexploded ordnance with both the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel. We have called on the Government of Israel to make a public statement about their use of cluster munitions in the recent conflict with Lebanon and would expect them to investigate any well-founded allegations of misuse of munitions by its armed forces.

Cluster Munitions

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely failure rates of the CRV 7 Multi Purpose Sub-Munition.

Adam Ingram: As part of the UK assessment of the CRV7 High Explosive Multi-Purpose Sub-Munition, a sample size of 36 rockets was fired at a variety of ranges and temperatures. These tests demonstrated a reliability of 94 per cent.

Combat Stress

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical treatment is given to soldiers returning from combat suffering from stress related disorders; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: Community based mental healthcare is available to every military unit, and every Service person, at our 15 regional Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK plus satellite centres overseas. DCMH teams comprise Psychiatrists and Mental Health Nurses, with access to Clinical Psychologists and mental health social workers. The aim is to see referred individuals at their unit medical centre and, with the patient's permission, to engage with GPs and the patient's chain of command to help manage any mental health problems identified. The full range of psychiatric and psychological treatments are available including medication, psychological therapies and environmental adjustment where appropriate. Our model for treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder meets the standards set by the independent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.
	In-patient care, when necessary, is provided in psychiatric units belonging to the Priory Group. Close liaison is maintained between DCMHs and the Priory units to ensure that all service elements relating to an in-patient's care and management are addressed.
	Personnel in theatre, are provided appropriate levels of support from trained mental health staff either in theatre or by returning to the UK.
	In addition, on 16 May this year my predecessor announced an enhanced post-operational mental healthcare programme for recently-demobilised reservists. The programme, which will be in place before the end of the year, will provide out-patient assessment and treatment for reservists demobilised since January 2003 who have deployed on Operations and are suffering from combat related mental illness that is linked to their mobilised service. A formal announcement will be made before the end of the year to confirm the details of the programme, including the location at which the assessments will be provided, and the date on which the service will commence.

Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre File

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when he will make available his Department's Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre file which was stored at a location at which asbestos was subsequently discovered and was separated from similar files; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what records are held on  (a) each of the Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre prisons,  (b) the deaths of detainees held at each prison and  (c) inquiries held on such deaths; where photographs of prisoners which were handed over to investigators are now held; where the East Europeans who were detained are now held; what material is held relating to (i) the recordings of detainees' conversations and (ii) training offered to the US Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Centre; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: A considerable number of files relating to the Combined Service Detailed Interrogation Centre (CSDIC) have previously been reviewed in accordance with departmental records procedures and transferred for permanent preservation to The National Archives (TNA). Only two items are recorded as still held in the Department: both would have been stored in an archive which was found to have been contaminated by asbestos, and which is now the subject of a scanning project.
	The first item is redacted extracts from WO208/3654, which details proposed amendments to CSDIC (UK) war establishment 1943-45. The extracts have been located among the contaminated material, scanned, reviewed and cleared for release. Arrangements are being made to transfer them to The National Archives (TNA), where they will be available to the public in the usual way.
	The second item is file WO208/3548 entitled "Interrogation of POWs at London District Cage", 1942-1944, which is listed in the TNA catalogue as closed, and retained by MOD. A search of the list of material in the contaminated archive has shown that this file is not recorded. The list was compiled under difficult conditions by staff wearing protective clothing, and a mistake may have been made. If the file is among the contaminated material, it will be discovered before the project concludes in early 2008. Officials believe that this file relates to so-called "double cross agents", and the potential continuing sensitivity of personal data related to this subject means that even if it is found the material may not be releasable.

Complaints (Equipment)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Navy and (c) the Royal Air Force have initiated complaints procedures arising from concerns with equipment since 2003; and in how many cases in (i) the Army, (ii) the Royal Navy and (iii) the Royal Air Force the complaint was upheld.

Adam Ingram: The MOD greatly values and actively encourages feedback from personnel on how equipment is performing, so that lessons can be learnt and improvements made where a need is identified. There are a number of ways available for members of the armed forces to raise issues, faults and suggestions for improvement to equipment, these include: via routine reporting through the chain of command; via the failure reporting analysis and corrective actions system; through the GEMS suggestion scheme or via the serious equipment failure investigation team.
	Specific information relating to the number of complaints raised and their outcomes is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Corporate Purchasing Cards

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many corporate purchasing cards have been issued by his Department; and what savings have been achieved as a result of their introduction.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is in the process of withdrawing its corporate purchasing cards and currently has around 924 such cards in issue. These corporate purchasing cards are in the process of being replaced by the Government procurement card (GPC), which enables business units to obtain goods and services faster and cheaper and by a more auditable process. MOD currently uses some 17,466 GPC cards. The MOD does not hold any figures on savings made through use of the corporate purchasing card. Total process cost savings by use of the GPC during the period from March 2000 to September 2006 are over £68 million, based on the NAO figure of£28 per transaction.

Databases

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many confirmed security breaches of databases controlled by his Department occurred in each of the last five years; whether the breach resulted from internal or external sources in each case; how many records were compromised on each occasion; and what estimate was made of the total number of records accessible to the individuals concerned.

Derek Twigg: The MOD is only aware of one security breach in the last five years which potentially resulted in compromise of a classified database containing the Ministry of Defence personal data. The breach involved the theft from a hotel of an Army laptop holding a password protected database of Service personnel and next of kin details associated with Operation FRESCO, the MOD Military Assistance to Civil Authorities operation conducted during the 2002 fire services strike. The database contained the names and military details of Service personnel. I emphasise that the data was password protected and we have no evidence that it was actually compromised.

Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his Department's databases are  (a) wholly and  (b) partly operated by external organisations or individuals; and which organisations and individuals own those databases.

Derek Twigg: Information on the Ministry of Defence databases that are wholly and partly operated by external organisations or individuals and which organisations and individuals own those databases is not held centrally. In general, databases are wholly owned through the MOD user communities, such as Front Line Commands (FLCs), other Top Level Budgets (TLBs) and Higher Level Budgets (HLBs).
	The Defence Communication Services Agency (DCSA), through integrated project teams (IPTs) such as Logistic Application IPT (LAIPT), provides the applications on which databases exist. There will be instances where there are industrial partnerships and Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) where data is shared with contractors. The Defence Corporate Business Applications IPT (DCBA IPT), part of the DCSA, manages a number of databases with most being owned and operated by the MOD. The following are not MOD owned and or operated:
	The Defence Learning Portal (DLP) is a means by which eLearning will be delivered in Defence. Defence Electronic Learning Delivery and Management Capability (DELDMC) is the supporting project and is a service provided under a British Telecommunication PLC (BT) contract to provide the hosting infrastructure, a learning management system and a learning content management system products to support the DLP. BT own and operate the system and database.
	Individual medical databases held at each medical centre. These databases are wholly owned by EMIS (company name) and operated by the MOD.
	SAPPHIRE, a management information system that is owned and operated by Fujitsu with Government having the exclusive right to use.
	The Defence Electronic Commerce Service (DECS) includes a Defence Collaboration Portal which has a shared working environment that is operated and owned by Capgemini.
	Other databases that are partly operated by external organisations, but that are all owned by the MOD and managed by the DCSA are:
	Comprehensive Logistics Automated Support Program (CLASP)
	Comprehensive RN Inventory Systems Project (CRISP)
	Defence Logistics Organisation Risk Register
	Enhanced Procurement System Interface (EPSIS)
	Naval Armament Weapons Database Analysis System (NAWDAS)
	On-board Automated Ships Information System (OASIS)
	OPDEF Data Management System (ODMS) (where OPDEF stands for Operational Defects)
	Royal Naval Invoicing and Delivery System (RIDELS)
	RAF Supply Central Computer System (SCCS)
	Unit Maintenance Management System (UMMS)
	Warehouse Information Technology system (WITS)
	The privatised dockyards use CRISP, WITS, RIDELS, and BAe use EPSIS.

Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State forDefence which databases operated by his Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

Des Browne: Information on the number and location of databases, either wholly or in part, outside the UK is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The major database owners in the MoD are the MoD Finance Director, the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA), the People Pay and Pensions Agency (PPPA) and the Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA). Only the DCSA has overseas databases.
	Two of the DCSA's integrated project teams (IPTs) manage, operate or maintain databases that are able to be located outside the UK. The Logistics Applications IPT (LA IPT) operate 168 applications, a number of which are deployable onto ships, land and air units. Therefore, there will be periods when sub-sets of databases are abroad or generated abroad. Quantifying this would be extremely difficult. Examples of the more deployable applications are: GLOBAL (not an acronym), Unit Maintenance Management System (UMMS), On-board Automated Ships Information System (OASIS), Visibility in Transit and Asset Logging (VITAL) and Work Recording and Asset Management (WRAM). There are some servers for WRAM at Gutersloh (Germany).
	Defence Corporate Business Applications IPT (DCBA IPT) support the Theatre Operational Medical Datacapture System (TOMD System). This is a military standalone laptop system which is used to data capture medical data world wide with UK forces but is primarily used in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
	There may be instances of databases created locally at overseas locations, particularly in Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOBs), for tasks specific to their location. There is no way of identifying these centrally, although as the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII) networks roll out, these databases will be identified and either brought up to standard and then managed by the DCSA, or de-commissioned.

Defence Scientific Advisory Council

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who the members are of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.

Adam Ingram: It has not proved possible to respond to the right hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Departmental Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on organising and hosting conferences in the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Conferences and their associated costs are organised in accordance with departmental regulations to provide value for money.

Departmental Expenditure

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of paying for fees at independent schools for the children of staff employed by his Department in the last year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: The costs for academic year 2005-06 are approximately:
	
		
			  Academic year 2005-06  £ million 
			 Armed forces 94 
			 Civilian 1 
			 Total cost 95

Departmental Mail

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the Department's mail is shipped using private companies; and what the cost was over the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: Over the last 12 months, 41 per cent. of all mail addressed to British Forces Post Office address was shipped by private carrier at a cost of £1.8 million.
	Information regarding mail shipped by separate MOD units via Royal Mail Group is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Publications

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) circulation,  (b) cost and  (c) title is of each publication his Department has issued since 1 July 2005.

Derek Twigg: Not all the information on publications requested is held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Defence has issued centrally the following formal publications:
	
		
			  Title  Number of copies  Print cost (£) 
			 CM6616 Response HCDC Future Capabilities 300 1,250 
			 CM6619 Response HCDC AF Bill 300 1,250 
			 CM6620 Response HCDC Duty of Care 300 1,250 
			 Sanctuary 2005 19,500 20,700 
			 CM6697 Defence Industrial Strategy 3,500 22,890 
			 Future Conflicts Insight Booklet 1,400 2,648 
			 Race Equality Scheme Report 250 1,621 
			 SIT Publication 500 815 
			 Veterans Strategy Booklet 2,500 1,471 
			 Capability and Alignment Study 7,000 4,466 
			 CM6851 Government Response to Deepcut Review 300 1,250 
			 Information Managers Handbook 2,500 3,372 
			 Information Managers Precis 2,500 1,299 
			 Sanctuary 2006 20,000 18,927 
			 Maximising Benefit from Defence Research 350 2,102 
			 Defence Technology Strategy 3,000 9,900 
			 Total  95,211 
			  Note: 'Formal' means official printed documents for external distribution to the public or Parliament. 'Centrally' relates only to publications by DGMC. This does not include those produced by other directorates within the Central Top Level Budget (TLB), nor to TLBs beyond MOD Main Building.

Departmental Publications

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the quarterly CPS21 publication for each quarter since the first quarter of 1997-98.

Adam Ingram: Yes.

Departmental Staff

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of vacancies in his Department in the last 12 months required candidates to have at least a grade C in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics GCSE.

Derek Twigg: These data are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tax-efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles his Department makes available to its employees; how many and what percentage of his Department's staff purchased bicycles through such schemes in 2005-06; whether the schemes are available through a range of suppliers; and whether arrangements are made to enable staff with disabilities to purchase adapted bicycles from a specialist supplier.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence does not make available tax efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles to its employees but work is ongoing to ensure that it is possible as the payroll systems are updated. MOD encourages the use of more sustainable travel as part of its work on sustainable development. To reflect the different natures of their employment, service personnel and civilian staff are on different terms and conditions of service. For service personnel, public accommodation is typically provided close to the place of work, though there are travel allowances (including one for use of bicycles) for those who live further away. For civilian staff, MOD offers staff interest free loans to purchase bicycles and public transport season tickets for commuting to and from their place of work.

Deployment (Germany)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what deployments have been made of units stationed in Germany in each year since 2003.

Adam Ingram: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Environmental Policies

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments have been conducted into the impact on  (a) the environment and  (b) wildlife of the use of live munitions at UK firing ranges.

Derek Twigg: Over 100 munitions variants have been assessed in the last two years. Such environmental assessments use an Environmental Impact Screening and Scoping process. This examines the effect munitions have on land, water, air, ecology, and people. The assessment identifies environmental impacts and risks and where mitigation measures may be needed.

Equipment

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on defence helicopters in the equipment programme in each year since 2000-01.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 26 October 2006
	The following table sets out expenditure on defence helicopters from within the Department's equipment plan from 2001-02 (the earliest year for which expenditure records are available in the form required) to 2005-06. The equipment plan covers the acquisition and upgrade of equipment for the armed forces. It does not include the running costs and upkeep of platforms.
	The table is drawn from the expenditure records of integrated project teams (IPTs) responsible for helicopters and major helicopter sub-systems. It does not capture expenditure relevant to helicopters from all sub-system IPTs, which could only have been provided at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2001-02 662 
			 2002-03 494 
			 2003-04 244 
			 2004-05 165 
			 2005-06 183 
		
	
	The reduction has resulted from the end of production programmes for the Merlin Mk3 and Attack Helicopter that are now in service. We plan to invest some £4.5 billion in helicopters over the next 10 years under the Future Rotorcraft Capability programme and have already placed major contracts for the sustainment of the Merlin Mkl fleet and the development and production of Future Lynx.

Hand-held Radios

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the merits of using high altitude balloons to enhance the range of hand-held radios.

Adam Ingram: The MOD is aware of the technical options of using high altitude platforms to enhance certain communications techniques. Balloons are one option for such platforms. Details of MOD's current priorities in this area are detailed in the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR) section (B3) of the Defence Technology Strategy, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Haslar Military Hospital

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) military personnel and  (b) civilians are awaiting treatment at Haslar Military Hospital; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: At Royal Hospital Haslar (RHH) there are a number of MOD Retained Services which provide investigations/treatment for military and civilian patients. These are services which continue to be run by the MOD but which form part of the overall Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT) delivery.
	As at 27 October there were 185 Service personnel awaiting treatment, or investigations to determine the need for treatment, in the following MOD Retained Services at RHH: Radiology, Audiology, Orthotics and the Clinical Measurements Department (which undertakes cardiac, neurophysiological and respiratory tests to support diagnosis or direct treatment). None of these 185 will be treated as in-patients.
	In addition, as at 27 October across PHT, 285 Service personnel were awaiting in-patient or day-case treatment (patients who are already "in the system" awaiting definitive treatment) and 669 personnel are awaiting out-patient treatment (new referrals).
	Many of these personnel continue to perform military duties while awaiting treatment.
	All patients (military and civilian) at the trust are registered on a central waiting list. The hospital appointment location is not finalised until the required appointment date nears, so these figures cannot be broken down by individual hospital site. PHT has a number of hospitals in its remit, including RHH, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Chichester Hospital and other smaller facilities.

Healthcare-related infections

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent estimate is of  (a) MRSA and  (b) clostridium difficile rates per 1,000 bed days in military field hospitals (i) in total and (ii) broken down by field hospital.

Derek Twigg: Because of the nature of the wards, patient flow and hygiene standards in our field hospitals, we estimate the prevalence of MRSA and clostridium difficile to be very low tending to negligible. As a result, medical personnel only screen a patient if they have clinical indicators of an infection. There are no known cases where a patient has shown signs of infection or tested positively for either organism in UK military field hospitals in 2006.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy not to use Hercules aircraft which have not been fitted with  (a) the latest generation defensive aids suite and  (b) foam in the wing tanks in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence policy is to offer our aircraft, crews and passengers a level of protection commensurate with the risk of the operational tasking. For aircraft, this involves a mix of threat mitigation measures, which can include defensive aids. It is, nevertheless, an inescapable fact that operational flying can never be a risk free activity.
	With respect to Hercules aircraft, or indeed any other aircraft, I am not prepared to disclose specific details of defensive aid fitment as this might prejudice the operational security of our armed forces.
	I announced on 18 April this year that we will be fitting some of our Hercules aircraft with explosion suppressant foam. I can now say that two aircraft have been fitted with explosion suppressant foam, and the programme continues as planned to fit the remaining aircraft.

Housing (Former Service Personnel)

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what help his Department offers to ex-military personnel to find suitable housing after retirement from the armed forces.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 25 October 2006
	The MOD provides help and advice on housing options to Service personnel during their service and on resettlement through the Joint Service Housing Advice Office. This includes the MOD Nominations Scheme which facilitates Service leavers' access to a number of housing associations and councils across the UK; and the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for Ex-Services which provides a housing advice and placement service for single Service leavers. Post-discharge, the Veterans Agency provides a signposting service for ex-Service personnel focused in particular on those in receipt of a compensation scheme payment for an injury, illness or death due to service. This service offers advice on a range of issues including housing.

Information Technology

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which information technology projects are being undertaken by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies; what the (i) start date, (ii) original planned completion date, (iii) expected completion date, (iv) originally planned costs and (v) estimated costs are of each; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Army (Fitness for Deployment)

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Army were not fully fit for operational deployment on 1 October.

Derek Twigg: The number of UK Regular Army trained personnel who were medically unfit for any operational role is 1,040 on 1 September 2006.

Iraq

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen have returned from Iraq wounded in each month of the last three years; and how many were wounded by  (a) friendly fire,  (b) accident and  (c) enemy action.

Des Browne: The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, dating from March 2003 for Iraq. The best centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets.
	For the period from March 2003 to 31 December 2005, 230 UK military and civilian personnel were treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action.
	Separate records, from notification of casualty reporting (NOTICAS), show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel have been categorised as very seriously injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel have been categorised as seriously injured (SI) from all causes. These figures include personnel treated for wounds received as a result of hostile action.
	Up to 4,000 UK military and civilian personnel (including a small number of Iraqis) have been medically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	The total number of UK military and civilian personnel who were treated at the Shaibah "Role 3" field hospital was 6,609. Of these 226 were categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action, and 6,383 were categorised as suffering disease or non-battle injury.
	Since the beginning of the year, we have sought to collect better information. Between 1 January and 30 September 2006, centrally available records show that 47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah "Role 3" facility in Iraq and categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action. 10 UK military and civilian personnel were categorised as either very seriously ill or seriously injured from all causes excluding disease over the same period, all of whom were aeromedically evacuated. A monthly breakdown is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of Op Telic military and civilian casualties excluding disease, 1 January 2006 to 30 September 2006 
			   Category  
			   Friendly Fire  Accident  Enemy Action  Total 
			 January — 1 1 2 
			 February — — — 0 
			 March — — 1 1 
			 April — 1 — 1 
			 May — — 1 1 
			 June — — 1 1 
			 July — — 2 2 
			 August — — 1 1 
			 September — — 1 1 
			 Total 0 2 8 10 
		
	
	In the same period 553 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason. These records do not cover whether the evacuation was a result of friendly fire, enemy action or accident. Work is being done to expand the data recorded for those aeromedically evacuated from Iraq in the future.

Iraq

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many bandsmen from the band of the Royal Marines, Dartmouth, were flown from the UK to Baghdad to play at the Senior British Representative's dinner on 5 July; and what the cost was to public funds;
	(2)  who decided to announce the Senior British Military Representative in Iraq's dinner on 5 July at Maude House, Baghdad in the Court and Social column of the  Daily Telegraph; and who paid for this announcement;
	(3)  what the cost was of the Senior British Military Representative's dinner on 5 July; and who met the costs;
	(4)  what contact with the enemy the convoy escorting the band of the Royal Marines, Dartmouth, encountered on its journey between Baghdad airport and Maude House and back for their performance at the dinner given by the Senior British Military Representative on 5 July; and whether members of the escort on either journey were  (a) killed and  (b) wounded;
	(5)  who escorted the band of the Royal Marines, Dartmouth, from Baghdad airport to Maude House and back for their performance at the dinner on 5 July; and how many soldiers and vehicles were involved in the escort;
	(6)  whether the bandsmen from the band of the Royal Marines, Dartmouth, who played at the dinner hosted by the Senior British Military Representative on 5 July, undertook other duties whilst in Iraq;
	(7)  whether alcohol was consumed at the dinner given by the senior British Military Representative in Iraq on 5 July at Maude House, Baghdad; what the British military policy is on consumption of alcohol whilst on operation; and whether the bandsmen playing at this event were subject to the operational constraints on alcohol consumption.

Adam Ingram: No Royal Marines Bandsmen were flown to Baghdad specifically to play at the dinner held by the Senior British Military Representative—Iraq (SBMR-I) on 5 July 2006.
	The Band of HM Royal Marines Britannia Royal Naval College was tasked to perform a number of engagements to Coalition Forces and the Royal Marines in Baghdad in support of Defence Diplomacy and the 'Moral Component'. Thirty Royal Marines musicians were in Baghdad from 2-10 July 2006 and also gave a number of performances for staff and patients at the coalition military hospital in Baghdad.
	The main focus of the Band's visit was to provide support to ceremonial events for military and civil diplomatic officers and the Iraqi Government and raise the profile of the UK element serving in Baghdad. Whilst in theatre, the band was also able to give an additional performance on 5 July 2006 at an event hosted by the SBMR-I, which allowed key coalition military officers to meet and interact with their Iraqi counterparts in a more informal setting. This event was announced in the Court Circular column of the  Daily Telegraph by the Royal Marines Corps Secretary with approval of the then SBMR-I, LT General Fry. The cost of the announcement was borne entirely from the non-public, Royal Marines Corps funds.
	As the band was already in Baghdad for the primary purpose stated above, there were no extra costs associated with flying the band from the UK for the dinner on 5 July. During its time in Baghdad, the band was escorted by the Protection Force Company (1 Grenadier Guards) whose role is to provide escorts to all visitors and senior military officers working in the Baghdad area. For reasons of operational security I can not reveal how many soldiers and vehicles were involved in the escort. Although I can say that no members of the escort were killed or injured while escorting the band and in fact at no time during their visit did the band or their escort come into any contact with enemy groups.
	The cost of the dinner, including alcohol, was £190.68. In general the British military policy is that the consumption of alcohol is at the discretion of individual commanders and will vary with the operational circumstances. When alcohol is permitted, the normal limit is two cans of beer per person per day. The bandsmen at the event would have been operating within these policy guidelines.

Iraq

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel were killed in Iraq on 5 July.

Adam Ingram: No British service personnel lost their lives in Iraq on 5 July.

Iraq

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British involvement in setting up the Police Intelligence Unit in Iraq in 2003.

Adam Ingram: We have no record of UK personnel being involved in the formation of the Police Intelligence Unit in 2003.

Iraq

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the investigations being carried out by the Royal Military Police into sectarian violence in Basra.

Adam Ingram: There are no investigations being carried out by British Royal Military Police Special Investigations Branch into sectarian violence in Basra.

Iraq

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many international police trainers there are at the Joint Training Academy in Basra; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: All training is now carried out by Iraqi trainers at the Basra Training College (previously known as the joint Training Academy) in Basra, which will eventually be handed over to full Iraqi control. There are approximately 40 international police advisers currently at the Basra Training College, 12 of whom are provided by the UK, conducting mentoring in training and management.

Iraq

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  whether any of the people whose names have been supplied by British intelligence agents to personnel in the Basra police service have subsequently been murdered;
	(2)  whether British intelligence agents have supplied lists of suspects to personnel in the Basra police;
	(3)  whether British intelligence agents have been based at the Jamiyat police station in Basra.

Adam Ingram: It is not our policy to comment on intelligence matters as to do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of those forces.

Iraq

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of those correspondents deployed in Iraq who  (a) have been awarded the Iraq campaign medal and  (b) have refused it; to which agency each was attached; and which have been awarded without clasp.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence has received 74 requests for the Iraq campaign medal, of which 69 had been distributed to the recipients as at 25 October 2006. The remaining five are held pending collection or confirmation of required postal address.
	Entitled persons were notified of their entitlement and invited to submit an application for the medal, therefore none actually refused. Five entitled war correspondents did notify the MOD that they did not wish to be considered for the award; the remaining 57 did not respond. In accordance with data protection regulations I am unable to disclose the individual names and media organisations involved.
	All 74 applicants were awarded the medal and clasp as they qualified on the basis of the dates of their assignments and locations.

Iraq

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British military personnel have been  (a) injured and  (b) killed in the Iraqi conflict since it began; and how many and what percentage of those killed have had inquests completed.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The Ministry of Defence publishes data on battle and non-battle casualties that have resulted from our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, dating from March 2003 for Iraq. The best centrally available casualty statistics can be found on the Ministry of Defence website:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/OperationsFactsheets
	For the period from March 2003 to 31 December 2005, 230 UK military and civilian personnel were treated at UK medical facilities in Iraq for wounds received as a result of hostile action.
	Separate records, from notification of casualty reporting (NOTICAS), show that some 40 UK military and civilian personnel have been categorised as very seriously injured (VSI) from all causes, and that some 70 personnel have been categorised as seriously injured (SI) from all causes. These figures include personnel treated for wounds received as a result of hostile action.
	Up to 4,000 UK military and civilian personnel (including a small number of Iraqis) have been medically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	The total number of UK military and civilian personnel who were treated at the Shaibah "Role 3" Field Hospital was 6,609. Of these 226 were categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action, and 6,383 were categorised as suffering disease or non-battle injury.
	Since the beginning of the year, we have sought to collect better information. Between 1 January and 30 September 2006 centrally available records show that:
	47 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility in Iraq and categorised as wounded in action, including as a result of hostile action.
	855 UK military and civilian personnel were admitted to the Shaibah Role 3 Facility for disease or non battle injuries.
	553 UK military and civilian personnel were aeromedically evacuated from Iraq on medical grounds, whatever the reason.
	It is with very deep regret that I can confirm that as of 1 November 2006 a total of 120 British forces personnel have died, or are missing presumed dead, while serving on Operation Telic since the start of the campaign in March 2003. Of these, 90 are classed as killed in action, including as a result of hostile action, 30 are known to have died either as a result of illness, non-combat injuries or accidents or have not yet been officially assigned a cause of death, pending the outcome of an investigation. These figures may change as inquests are concluded.
	The MOD does not keep records centrally on the number of completed inquests, as this is a matter for the coroner and the Department for Constitutional Affairs. I refer the hon. Member to the ministerial statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, 12 October 2006,  Official Report, column 26WS, in which she referred to completed inquests.

Iraq

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been provided to the World Health Organisation on the location of depleted uranium munitions in Iraq in  (a) 1991 and  (b) since March 2003.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence is committed to making available information on the use of depleted uranium (DU) munitions both in the UK and abroad. I am not aware of any enquiries from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the location of DU munitions in Iraq. However, information is available in the public domain and has been provided to other agencies of the United Nations (UN), such as the UN Environment Programme.
	The UN has been given information on the weight of DU expended by UK forces in 2003 and on the geographical locations of the firings. They have also been given a report of the findings of an environmental monitoring survey undertaken by my Officials in Iraq in June 2003. This survey found only very low levels of DU contamination close to the points where DU munitions had impacted. No contamination was detectable in the wider environment even when the most sensitive analytical techniques were used; the contamination was not considered to present a health risk. This information was presented to a group of Iraqi and UN scientists at a meeting in June 2005. A representative from the WHO was present at this meeting.
	In addition, the Ministry of Defence has published information on the very limited use of 120 mm DU munitions by UK units during the 1990/1991 Gulf conflict.

Israel

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessments were undertaken by NATO allies of Israel's compliance with international law on human rights prior to the signing of the individual co-operation programme agreement.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	Membership of NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue or Istanbul Co-operation Initiative is the only requirement for countries wishing to have an Individual Co-operation Programme (ICP) with NATO. Prior to the signature of the ICP in October individual, allies may, as the UK did, have taken into account among other factors Israel's compliance with international human rights law.

IT Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many and what percentage of information technology projects undertaken by or for his Department since 2001 have been delivered  (a) over budget,  (b) after their original deadline,  (c) on budget,  (d) under budget,  (e) on their original deadline and  (f) ahead of their original deadline;
	(2)  which web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £500,000 since 2001; which companies submitted qualified tender proposals for each project; and which company was awarded each contract;
	(3)  which non-web-related information technology projects cost his Department more than £1 million since 2001; how many qualified tender proposals there were for each project; and which company was awarded each contract;
	(4)  how much his Department has spent on  (a) equipment and  (b) consultants for (i) information technology and (ii) web-facing information technology projects in each year since 2001.

Derek Twigg: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

IT Projects

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's five most expensive  (a) web and  (b) non-web information technology projects have been since 2001.

Adam Ingram: Much of this information is not held centrally and could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, we can provide the following information on the five largest information technology projects, but it does not distinguish between web and non-web information technology projects.
	
		
			   Contract  Originally estimated cost  (£ million)  Most recently estimated cost  (£ million)  Outturn  (£ million)  Comments 
			 1. Skynet5 (Satellite Communication Services) 2,775 3,660 137 Expenditure does not include expenditure from other areas within the Department that call up SATCOM services. 'Most recent cost' reflects revised contract to include a third satellite and a fourth satellite in the event of the failure at the launch stage of one of the three satellites. Should there be no loss the cost will reduce to £3,273 million. 
			 2. Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) (DII(F)) 2,297 2,313 252 This relates to the Increment 1 contract only Increments 2 and 3 have not yet been let. 
			 3. Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) 237 237 106 These estimates comprise all extramural costs for JPA and include the cost of personnel administration services using JPA up to the end of financial year 2008-2009. Outturn costs cover extramural expenditure to the end of financial year 2005-2006. JPA cost estimates are under review and are very likely to increase, subject to formal approval of adjustments to the programme and its contract to ensure alignment with the DII project. 
			 4. Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP) 98 82 0 No outturn yet—contract placed in April 2006. 
			 5. Joint Asset Management and Engineering solutions (JAMES) Up to 30 20 12.5 Costs for the MIS system (JAMES 1) supporting WFM. This is based on a six year contract with the Prime Systems Integrator. There is an option to extend by a further four years but the decision has not made yet. 
			  Note: Purely voice communications systems are not considered to fall within the scope to the question.

Joint Personnel Administration System

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been  (a) overpaid and  (b) underpaid to RAF personnel stationed in (i) Afghanistan and (ii) elsewhere through the Joint Personnel Administration system.

Derek Twigg: The information requested for Afghanistan is not held centrally and could only be extracted at a disproportionate cost. The number of RAF over and underpayments resulting from Joint Personnel Administration system errors is in the following table.
	
		
			  Month  Overpaid  Underpaid  Total 
			 April 4,064 1,804 5,868 
			 May 230 475 705 
			 June 257 288 545 
			 July 139 120 259 
			 August 2,979 7,058 10,037 
			 September 4 0 4 
		
	
	These latest figures show a reduction of 771 in April, 470 in May, 60 in June and an increase of 90 in July, compared to the previously published figures. The reductions are due to further analysis of the cases and the consequent elimination of some double counting and incorrect categorisation of errors. The numbers for July increased subsequent to the original early report on the July position. The high numbers in August were due primarily to two JPA system errors (incorrect tax calculation on recoveries and incorrect Get You Home Mileage payments) which were all small in value and corrected in the payroll for August and September respectively.

Joint Strike Fighter

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Joint Strike Fighter against overall performance requirements.

Adam Ingram: At the Joint Strike Fighter Critical Design Review in Spring 2006 the programme was found to be at an acceptable standard of maturity with the fundamental structural design substantially complete. Some residual risks were identified, consistent with the current stage of the programme, and mitigation plans are in place to manage them. We continue to monitor these risks to ensure that JSF remains on track to meet our performance requirements.

Language Skills

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which foreign languages are taught to military personnel.

Derek Twigg: The following foreign languages are taught to military personnel:
	Albanian
	Albanian Gheg
	Arabic
	Arabic (Egyptian)
	Arabic (Iraqi)
	Arabic (Gulf)
	Arabic (Levantine)
	Arabic (Moroccan)
	Baluchi
	Bosnian
	Bulgarian
	Chinese (Mandarin)
	Croatian
	Czech
	Danish
	Dari
	Dutch
	Farsi
	Finnish
	Flemish
	French
	Georgian
	German
	Greek
	Hebrew
	Hindi
	Hungarian
	Indonesian
	Italian
	Japanese
	Kazakh
	Korean
	Kurdish
	Latvian
	Lithuanian
	Macedonian
	Malay
	Nepali
	Norwegian
	Pashtu
	Polish
	Portugese
	Portuguese (Brazil)
	Punjabi (Pakistani)
	Romanian
	Russian
	Serbian
	Shona
	Slovak
	Slovene
	Spanish
	Spanish LA (Latin American)
	Swahili
	Swedish
	Thai
	Turkish
	Ukrainian
	Urdu
	Languages are required to support Defence's operational, international liaison and defence diplomacy outputs. The level of attainment varies according to need, ranging from low level colloquial skills to full interpreter standard.

Light Bulbs

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of light bulbs purchased by his Department in 2005 were of the compact fluorescent type.

Derek Twigg: Light bulbs purchased directly by the MOD are for military application and are generally required to meet higher shock and vibration standards than normal commercial equivalents. In the year to October 2006, 4 per cent. by volume of light bulbs purchased by the MOD were of the compact fluorescent type.
	Light bulbs for general use on the Defence estate are procured by contractors on MOD's behalf. Information is not held centrally on the proportion of the various types purchased. Departmental policy does however require suppliers procuring goods on MOD's behalf to consider environmental standards and use products which are known to have a lower environmental impact than equivalent products.

Lockheed Martin

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts have been awarded to Lockheed Martin by his Department since 1 January 2006.

Adam Ingram: In the following table is listed information extracted from the Defence Bills Agency database (see Notes 1 and 2) covering contracts awarded to Lockheed Martin by the Ministry of Defence since 1 January, 2006.
	
		
			  Contractor name  Date contract placed  Description 
			 Lockheed Martin Aerospace Systems Integration Corporation 1 January 2006 Continued Hire of Merlin-Mounted Electro-Optic Camera for the Maritime Warfare Centre 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 3 January 2006 Research and Demonstration of a Munition Environment Data Logger System 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 11 January 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 23 January 2006 Counter Measure Spares (see Note 3) 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 25 January 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 2 February 2006 Missile Payload Assessment 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 14 February 2006 Refurbishment/re-lifing of bomb tail units to ensure air- worthiness and extend flying time. 
			 Lockheed Martin Stasys Limited 21 February 2006 Provision of technical support and document configuration for Airborne Stand Off Radar System 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 23 February 2006 Refurbishment/re-lifing of bomb tail units to ensure air- worthiness and extend flying time. 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 1 March 2006 Supply of services and stores in support of the Bowman Continuation Trainer programme 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 3 March 2006 Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control Study 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 6 March 2006 Attack Helicopter - Apache Munitions Training Display Models 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 9 March 2006 Battlefield Support Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 23 March 2006 Systems Integration Capability Development Programme 
			 Lockheed Martin Sippican Inc 20 April 2006 Underwater probes for collection of temperature and salinity data for oceanographic and geological studies 
			 Lockheed Martin Corporation 24 April 2006 Agreement in relation to Armoured Vehicles Training Service 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 28 April .2006 Light Armoured Vehicle Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 3 May 2006 Overseas Global Positioning System Trial 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 15 May 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 17 May 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Limited 22 May 2006 To conduct a study for an enhanced, manned rotary-wing solution to meet all the requirements of a Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control capability 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 24 May 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin Stasys Limited 26 May.2006 Provision of Independent Technical Advice to the Sea King ASaC MK 7 Programme 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 1 June 2006 Repair to Ground Support Equipment 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 12 June 2006 Post Design Services for Field Electrical Power Distribution Systems 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 27 July.2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 28 July 2006 Attack Helicopter - Target Practice Ammunition 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 16 August 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 17 August 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 17 August.2006 Countermeasure Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 18 August 2006 Light Armoured Vehicle Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 22 August.2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Limited 31 August 2006 Redesign of Sonar System for nuclear deterrent. 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 7 September 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 13 September 2006 Communication Systems Spares 
			 Lockheed Martin UK Insys Limited 21 September .2006 To develop a generic model that can assess the weapon/ target interaction element of a guided missile's performance in a range of environments 
			  Notes: 1. The Defence Bills Agency database excludes contracts placed on behalf of Other Government Departments, joint venture/alliance contracts, contracts placed through collaborative projects and those awarded by the Ministry of Defence's trading fund agencies. 2. Information is based on contract details recorded in the DBA database. Please note that there is a six to eight week average delay between the date that contracts are signed between the appropriate parties and the contract details being received at the Agency in Liverpool, although on occasions a small minority may take longer. 3. Countermeasures is a term covering a range of capabilities across a broad range of technologies intended to defeat or disrupt threats to UK forces or equipment.

Medals

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel have been waiting  (a) under six months,  (b) 12 to 18 months and  (c) more than 18 months for medals.

Derek Twigg: As at 27 October 2006, 1,725 members of the armed forces had been waiting under six months for their medal entitlement to be assessed. 1,221 of these applications remain within the target delivery timelines agreed with the Services. For the remaining 504 the MOD Medal Office is awaiting further information from the applicant, or the outcome of a Medal Board before they are able to confirm individual entitlement. 41 of the 56 waiting between 12 and 18 months had their medals dispatched to them by 3 November and of the 14 that have been waiting in excess of 18 months, seven will also have been dispatched by the same date. The remaining applications will be processed as soon as is practically possible.

Mental Health

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which top-level budget holder funds mental health treatment for veterans and service personnel.

Derek Twigg: The MOD's Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) which provide out-patient, community-based mental healthcare for Service personnel are the responsibility of the three single Services. They are therefore funded by the following Top-Level Budget holders (TLBs):
	Fleet (RN)
	Adjutant General (Army)
	Strike Command (RAF)
	Personnel and Training Command (RAF)
	In-patient mental healthcare, which is provided by a MOD contract with The Priory Group, is funded by the Centre TLB.
	Under the War Pensions Scheme the Department has a discretionary power to meet the cost of any necessary expenses in respect of the medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of ex-members of the armed forces that arise wholly or mainly arise as a result of the disablement due to service, before 6 April 2005, where it is not provided for under other legislation of the United Kingdom. This includes the individual costs of war pensioners undergoing "remedial treatment" at homes run by the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) for conditions related to their individual pensioned disablement and of related expenses, such as travel costs. This is also funded by the Centre TLB.

Mental Health

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department has provided for the treatment of  (a) service personnel and  (b) veterans with mental health conditions in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) mental health condition and (ii) treatment centre.

Derek Twigg: Out-patient mental health care for Service personnel is provided in the MOD's 15 Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMHs) across the UK plus satellite centres overseas. DCMHs are the responsibility of the three single Services. The following tables show the total amount of funding provided by the Royal Navy and the Army for the DCMHs within their responsibility in each year since 2004-05:
	
		
			  RN 
			   £ million 
			 2004-05 1.583 
			 2005-06 1.630 
			 2006-07 (allocated) 1.686 
			  Source:  Medical Director General (Naval) 
		
	
	
		
			  Army 
			   £ million 
			 2004-05 1.707 
			 2005-6 2.374 
			 2006-7 (spend to September 2006) 1.538 
			  Source:  Army Medical Directorate 
		
	
	Figures for previous years are no longer held centrally. Figures cannot be broken down by mental health condition or treatment centre.
	In the RAF, DCMHs are managed at station level. The funding for each DCMH is therefore part of the RAF station's overall budget and so is not separately identifiable from the costs of the overall station medical centre.
	In-patient mental health care for Service personnel is provided by the Priory Group. For the period from initial contract (1 April 2004) the total cost of the services provided by the Priory Group has been approximately £10 million, broken down as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2003-04 0.36 
			 2004-05 4.15 
			 2005-06 4.45 
			 2006-07 (spend to August 2006) 1.69 
			  Source:  Healthcare Directorate, Defence Medical Services Department 
		
	
	These figures include the cost of assessing patients as well as any treatment provided. They also include costs for services provided by the Priory Group between 1 December 2003 and 31 March 2004 prior to the current contract. MOD pays the Priory Group centrally via a single contract so the figures cannot be broken down to show the amount spent per mental health condition or per Priory treatment centre.
	Previously, in-patient mental health care was provided in the Duchess of Kent Psychiatric Hospital (DKPH) whose costs in its final year of operation (2003-04) were some £10 million. Figures on the costs of DKPH in previous years are no longer held centrally.
	With regard to veterans, upon leaving the armed forces, or on demobilisation for Reservists, it is the long established practice that responsibility for medical care passes to the NHS. This has been the case since 1948 under successive Governments.
	For veterans who are also War Pensioners, under the War Pensions Scheme the MOD has a discretionary power to meet the cost of any necessary expenses in respect of the medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of ex-members of the armed forces that arise wholly or mainly arise as a result of the disablement due to service, before 6 April 2005. It cannot be used to fund treatment provided under other UK legislation. Where appropriate remedial treatment at homes run by the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) is funded by this route for pensioned psychological conditions. The following table shows the funding received by Combat Stress under this provision. The figures are published by Combat Stress and are not broken down by treatment centre or mental health condition.
	
		
			  Income received by Combat Stress to defray individual treatment expenses 
			   £ million 
			 2001-02 2.1 
			 2002-03 2.4 
			 2003-04 2.6 
			 2004-05 2.8 
			 2005-06 2.9 
			  Source:  Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (?Combat Stress?)

Mental Health

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the independent mental health organisations employed by his Department to treat  (a) serving personnel and  (b) veterans in each of the last five years; how many days' treatment were provided in each year; and how much was spent in each year.

Derek Twigg: The Priory Group is the only independent mental healthcare provider contracted by the MOD. The following table shows the number of treatment days provided:
	
		
			  Date from  Date to  Bed days 
			 1 December 2003 31 March 2004 2,096 
			 1 April 2004 31 March 2005 8,539 
			 1 April 2005 31 March 2006 9,382 
			 1 April 2006 7 September 2006 2,312 
			  Total 22,329 
		
	
	For the period from initial contract the total cost of the services provided by the Priory Group has been approximately £10 million, broken down as follows:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2003-04 0.36 
			 2004-05 4.15 
			 2005-06 4.45 
			 2006-07(1) 1.69 
			 (1 )to August 2006 
		
	
	These figures include the cost of assessing patients as well as any treatment provided. They also include costs for services provided by the Priory Group between 1 December 2003 and April 2004 prior to the current contract.
	With regard to veterans, upon leaving the armed forces, or on demobilisation for reservists, it is the long established practice that responsibility for medical care passes to the NHS. This has been the case since 1948 under successive Governments.
	Under the War Pensions scheme the Department has a discretionary power to meet the cost of any necessary expenses in respect of the medical, surgical or rehabilitative treatment of ex-members of the armed forces that arise wholly or mainly arise as a result of the disablement due to service, before 6 April 2005, where it is not provided for under other legislation of the United Kingdom. This includes the individual costs of war pensioners undergoing "remedial treatment" at homes run by the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress) for conditions related to their individual pensioned disablement and of related expenses, such as travel costs. The following table shows the funding received by Combat Stress-under this provision:
	
		
			   £ million 
			 2000-01 1.5 
			 2001-02 2.1 
			 2002-03 2.4 
			 2003-04 2.6 
			 2004-05 2.8 
			  Source: Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society ("Combat Stress") 
		
	
	The number of funded treatment days each year are not separately identifiable.
	Costs may also be defrayed under this provision in respect of other veterans with mental health conditions and in relation to other providers of treatment, but such expenditure is not separately identifiable.

Military Chaplains

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military chaplains there were in each of the last five years, broken down by  (a) armed service,  (b) rank and  (c) faith.

Derek Twigg: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Military Manpower

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the Royal Navy's  (a) Manpower Planning Assumptions,  (b) Rating Planning Model,  (c) Officers Planning Model,  (d) Officers Strategic Planning Model and  (e) Naval Manpower Brief.

Adam Ingram: Yes.

Military Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 25 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1877W, on military vehicles, whether the level of protection offered by the Vector vehicle is the same as that offered by the  (a) R31 and  (b) RG33 vehicles.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 19 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1379W, which addressed the levels of protection offered by the Vector vehicle. I cannot disclose further details, as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of our armed forces.

Ministerial Travel

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by ministerial travel in his Department.

Des Browne: All central Government ministerial and official air travel is being offset from 1 April 2006. Departmental aviation emissions are calculated on an annual basis and subsequently offset through payments to a central fund. The fund purchases Certified Emissions Reductions credits from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with sustainable development benefits, located in developing countries.

Ministry of Defence Police

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence police were based at the Colchester Garrison  (a) in January 2005,  (b) in January 2006 and  (c) on 1 October 2006, broken down by rank.

Derek Twigg: On 1 January 2005 the following numbers of Ministry of Defence police were based at Colchester Garrison:
	One x inspector
	Five x sergeant
	14 x constable
	These figures include one x part-time sergeant 24 hours per week and one x part-time constable 24 hours per week.
	On 1 January 2006 the following numbers of Ministry of Defence police were based at Colchester Garrison:
	One x inspector
	Five x sergeant
	11 x constable (including two constables detached from other stations)
	These figures include one x part-time sergeant 36 hours per week and one x part-time constable 24 hours per week.
	On 1 October 2006 the following numbers of Ministry of Defence police were based at Colchester Garrison:
	Four x sergeant
	Eight x constable
	These figures include one x part-time sergeant 30 hours per week, one sergeant detached from another station providing 30 hours per week, and one x part-time constable 24 hours per week.

Ministry of Defence Police

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many hours per day there was Ministry of Defence Police protection at the Colchester Garrison  (a) in January 2005,  (b) in January 2006 and  (c) on 1 October 2006.

Derek Twigg: On 1 January 2005 and 1 January 2006, Ministry of Defence police (MDP) were providing a policing service at Colchester Garrison, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
	On 1 October 2006, MDP were providing a policing service to Colchester Garrison, 20 hours a day, seven days per week.

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Harpoon missile.

Adam Ingram: The Surface-to-Surface Guided Weapon Capability Upgrade Programme, which is currently in its pre-concept phase, is exploring solutions to replace the capability offered by Harpoon.

Movements Organisation

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Chief of the Air Staff about the performance of the Movements organisation in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

National School of Government

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on staff training at the National School of Government in the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 31 October 2006
	During the period between 1 November 2005 and 31 October 2006 the Ministry of Defence has spent a total of some £2.9 million on staff training, both civilian and military, at the National School of Government.

NATO Co-operation Programmes

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries NATO plans to approach to sign an individual co-operation programme.

Ian McCartney: I have been asked to reply.
	All countries participating in NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue: Israel, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt have been offered Individual Co-operation Programmes (ICPs). Those participating in NATO's Istanbul Co-operation Initiative countries: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have also been offered the opportunity of developing ICPs.

Negotiators Briefing Pack

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest version of the Negotiators Briefing Pack.

Adam Ingram: Yes.

Nuclear Deterrent

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to question 61294, on the UK's nuclear deterrent, tabled on 21 March, what the reasons were for the time taken to reply.

Des Browne: holding answer 11 September 2006
	Defence Ministers aim to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their written questions in the required timescale. Regrettably, this is not always possible and in this instance the delay was due to an administrative error.

Nuclear Deterrent

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the undiscounted costs of nuclear liabilities for which his Department is responsible, set out at page 220 of his Department's Annual Report and Accounts for 2005-06, HC 1394, represent the entire cost of decommissioning the Trident nuclear weapons system; and what proportion of these costs is expected to fall within  (a) two,  (b) four,  (c) six and  (d) more than six years of the start of decommissioning.

Des Browne: holding answer 1 November 2006
	The nuclear liabilities detailed within the Departments Annual Report include the current estimate of the cost of decommissioning the Trident nuclear weapons system. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 19 July 2006 to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Paul Flynn) which provides a detailed breakdown of all nuclear liabilities, not just those of the Trident system.
	Decisions about precisely how and when Trident will be decommissioned have not yet been taken. It is therefore not possible to say what proportion of costs is expected to fall within two, four, six and more than six years of the start of decommissioning.

Nuclear Deterrent

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often each nuclear weapons-related site in the UK is decontaminated; what his most recent estimate is of the average cost of such a decontamination; and to what environmental standards such decontamination is carried out.

Des Browne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Nuclear Deterrent

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected lifespan is of the guidance systems and flight control electronics on Trident D5 missiles.

Des Browne: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Operational Bonus

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether civilian personnel on operations will be eligible for the new operational bonus.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 17 October 2006
	No. MOD is proud of the vital roles that volunteer civil servants play on operational deployments in support of the armed forces. However, civil servants and military personnel have wholly separate arrangements for remuneration, whether in the UK or overseas including on operations. Over the past three years, considerable work has gone into establishing an appropriate support package for civilians who deploy. A special civilian operational allowance has been created in order to attract and compensate and is paid in addition to normal salary while in theatre.

Operational Bonus

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the armed forces bonus scheme will also apply to  (a) civil servants,  (b) Territorial Army soldiers and  (c) other forces' reservists serving in combat zones.

Derek Twigg: The new armed forces' bonus scheme, to be called the "operational allowance", will not be applicable to civil servants, as they have wholly separate arrangements for remuneration, whether in the UK or overseas and including on operations. A special civilian operational allowance package has been created and is paid in addition to normal salary while the individual is in theatre.
	All mobilised Reserves, including personnel of the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Territorial Army, Royal Auxiliary Air Force and the active element of the Royal Air Force Reserve are eligible for the allowance, if deployed to an operational location which qualifies for the allowance. Full-Time Reserve Service (Full Commitment) and (Limited Commitment) personnel are also eligible, if deployed to a qualifying location.

Operational Bonus

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish eligibility criteria for  (a) additional allowances and  (b) tax relief to be paid to (i) Royal Naval and (ii) Royal Air Force personnel in respect of service overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The eligibility criteria for the new operational allowance will be contained within the regulations for the allowance; they will be published shortly.
	The operational allowance is tax-free. There is no change to the tax liability for other allowances or to the tax paid on individual salary for personnel serving overseas.

Operational Bonus

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the operational tour tax-free bonus will be paid in addition to or in place of the longer separated service allowance or longer separation allowance.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 October 2006
	The operational tour tax-free bonus, to be called the operational allowance, is payable in addition to longer separated service allowance or longer separation allowance.

Operational Bonus

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether time spent as an in-patient in hospital  (a) in the UK and  (b) overseas as a result of injuries received in theatre will be counted when calculating eligibility for and value of the operational tour tax-free bonus.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 23 October 2006
	In his statement to the House of Commons on 10 October 2006, the Secretary of State for Defence explained that full details of eligibility for the tax-free operational bonus will be made shortly. Final details of eligibility, including for those hospitalised, are currently being considered. The tax-free bonus will be called the operational allowance.

Operational Bonus

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the length of service required to qualify for the operational bonus will be the same as that required to qualify for the operational service medal.

Derek Twigg: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Operational Bonus

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what considerations led to Sierra Leone service being excluded from the operational tour bonus.

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  to which  (a) theatres and  (b) areas the operational tour tax free bonus applies; and how these locations were selected;
	(2)  whether the operational tour tax free bonus has  (a) an initial qualifying period and  (b) a qualifying separation;
	(3)  whether the operational tour tax free bonus applies to personnel serving outside Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans.

Adam Ingram: The full details of eligibility for the tax-free operational bonus will be made available shortly. Final details of eligibility, including qualifying locations, for the Operational Allowance, as it will be called, are currently being finalised.

Operational Bonus

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the payment of bonuses to cover the tax liability of personnel on active service in hazardous operation areas to be paid; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The first payment of the new operational bonus, to be called "Operational Allowance" will be made as soon as possible. The three services are currently identifying service personnel who have served in qualifying operational locations since April 2006 and have already completed their qualifying tours of duty. Payment of the bonus to personnel who have completed qualifying tours of duty will begin by Christmas 2006.

Operational Bonus

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the operational tour tax free bonus applies to Gurkha personnel.

Adam Ingram: Gurkha personnel are eligible for the operational allowance, as the tax-free bonus will be called, as long as they meet the same qualifying criteria as British service personnel.

Parachute Training

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what medical support is available to those taking part in the special forces basic parachute training course; and what changes to such support have been made in the last 12 months.
	(2)  what plans he has to introduce  (a) automatic activation devices and  (b) audio altimeters for military trainee parachutists.

Adam Ingram: It has not proved possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer question 99074, on Warrior vehicles, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire on 30 October 2006 for answer on 2 November 2006.

Adam Ingram: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will provide a substantive reply to question 78398 tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 13 June.

Adam Ingram: I replied to the hon. Member on 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1528W.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer question number 85930 on light armoured vehicles tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 12 July 2006.

Adam Ingram: I replied to the hon. Member on 11 October 2006,  Official Report, column 745W.

Parliamentary Questions

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to answer questions  (a) 91724,  (b) 91725 and  (c) 91726, on exertion heat illness, tabled by the hon. Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood on 6 October.

Derek Twigg: I replied to my hon. Friend on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 638W.

Parliamentary Questions

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will provide answers to question  (a) 91383,  (b) 91419,  (c) 91421,  (d) 91422,  (e) 91426,  (f) 91420,  (g) 91424 and  (h) 91425, on defence, tabled by the hon. Member for Newark on 6 October 2006.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 October 2006
	I replied to the hon. Member today.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) present and  (b) future retirement age arrangements are for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The normal retirement age for members of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 05 (AFPS 05) and the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme (RFPS) is 55. Those who leave with a preserved pension are entitled to benefits payable at age 65. Regular members of AFPS 75 can retire with a full career pension at 55. Those who complete 16 years as an officer (from age 21) or 22 years in the ranks (from age 18) are entitled to an immediately payable pension. The payment of preserved pensions for AFPS 75 regulars and those on Full-Time Reserve Service Commitments (FTRS) has recently moved from age 60 to 65 for all service from 6 April 2006 to cover the cost of people living longer in retirement. Benefits will continue to be paid at age 60 for all service before 6 April 2006. The normal retirement age for those on an FTRS AFPS 75 Full Commitment is 55 and for those on Home and Local Commitments, age 60. Members of the Non Regular Permanent Staff Pension Scheme (NRPSPS) have a normal retirement age of 60.
	Under the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Pension Scheme (RGRPS), members are entitled to an immediately payable pension after 16 years' service as an officer or 22 years' service in the ranks, with preserved awards payable at 60. At present, under the Gurkha Pension Scheme (GPS), the normal retirement age for the majority of Gurkhas is once they have completed 15 years' service, when they are awarded an index linked pension based on Indian army pay under the Tripartite Agreement, which is reviewed and increased annually in line with the rate of inflation in Nepal.
	There are no plans to change the AFPS arrangements but the GPS is presently under review as part of the wider review of Gurkha Terms and Conditions of Service, which was announced on 11 January 2005,  Official Report, column 10WS and is due to be completed later this year. The scope of the review covers current members of the Brigade of Gurkhas and those who retired on or after 1 July 1997. The NRPS and the RGRPS schemes will be reviewed, in the light of the recent changes in other pension schemes.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current  (a) accrual rate and  (b) normal retirement age is for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: In the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 (AFPS 75) the accrual rate is l/68th of pensionable pay (or 1.47 per cent.) for regular officers, 1/74 (or 1.35 per cent.) for regular other ranks, 1/66.5 (or 1.5 per cent.) for full time reserve service (FTRS) full commitment, 1/80 (or 1.25 per cent.) for FTRS local and home commitment. The new pension scheme, AFPS 05 has one accrual rate of 1/70 (or 1.43 per cent.) for all members. The Non Regular Permanent Staff Pension Scheme (NRPSPS), which covers non regular personnel in support of the TA, has one accrual rate of 1/80 (1.25 per cent.). The Royal Gibraltar Regiment Pension Scheme has accrual rates in line with the AFPS 75 scheme. The level of Gurkha pensions is calculated on the basis of Gurkha pay, which under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement is related to the level of pay in the Indian Army.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him earlier today about retirement ages.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings estimate he has made of the effect on costs of the reforms to public sector pensions agreed with trades unions in 2005 for each year between 2006-07 and 2050-51; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 31 October 2006,  Official Report, column 317W.
	While the Armed Forces Pension Scheme is not covered by any of the agreements with the Public Sector Trade Unions the reformed pension arrangements introduced in 2005 for the armed forces are expected to produce significant long-term savings.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current estimate is of the unfunded liability, in present value terms, of each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and on what assumptions for  (a) discount rate and  (b) longevity the estimate is based.

Derek Twigg: The details of the costs associated with the Armed Forces Pension Schemes were published in the Resource Accounts 2005-06. The unfunded liabilities valued as at 31 March 2006 were as follows:
	
		
			   £ billion 
			 Pensions in payment 45.1 
			 Deferred pensions 8.4 
			 Active members 22.9 
		
	
	These liabilities are based on an assumed discount rate of 2.8 per cent. per annum above price inflation and on longevity assumptions currently used by the Government Actuary Department to assess the cost of the scheme. These are standard mortality tables, including an allowance for future mortality improvement, with a specific adjustment for armed forces personnel.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent estimate he has made of the  (a) rate and  (b) annual cost of employer contributions in each public sector pension scheme for which his Department has responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: There are no separate rates of employer contributions for the armed forces pensions schemes in operation as they are treated as one scheme for the purposes of employer contributions. The rate of employer contributions for the armed forces is currently the equivalent of 22.8 per cent. of the total pay bill.
	The Resource Accounts for the armed forces pension schemes for 2005-06 are the latest figures available and show the cost of these contributions in financial year 2005-06 as being assessed at £1,291 million.

Pensions

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of total annual expenditure on war pensions for financial years 2006-07 to 2010-11.

Derek Twigg: The current estimate of total annual expenditure on war pensions is as follows:
	
		
			   £ billion 
			 2006-07 1.037 
			 2007-08 0.999 
			 2008-09 0.961 
			 2009-10 0.925 
			 2010-11 0.891

Personnel (Investigative Agencies)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has employed investigative agencies in relation to personnel issues in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Porton Down

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the health risk to residents of Swindon of Porton Down's release of bacteria in the town in 1966; whether any other releases occurred between 1976 and 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: During the Cold War era there was a very real threat of biological weapons being used against the UK. Therefore, the MOD commissioned a series of open-air defence studies to evaluate the vulnerability of the UK.
	The open air defence studies were undertaken in two phases. The first phase involved the open air release of harmless stimulant bacteria to assess dissemination characteristics. The second involved suspension of harmless simulants on individual micro-threads to determine their ability to survive in different climatic conditions.
	The only open air defence study undertaken in Swindon was in September 1966 and involved a series of micro-thread survival assessment studies. It did not involve the open air release of bacteria.
	Reports detailing these MOD Open Air Defence trials were released into the public domain in the mid 1990's. Subsequently, following public concern, the MOD commissioned an independent expert to review the studies. This review concluded that
	"...the releases of bacteria during the trials were very unlikely to have had health consequences for the overwhelming majority of individuals who were exposed...".
	The full report can be located at http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/HealthandSafetyPublications/DefenceTrials/DorsetDefenceTrialsReport.htm.

Premature Voluntary Release

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many premature voluntary release exits there were from the regular  (a) infantry,  (b) Royal Artillery,  (c) Royal Engineers,  (d) Royal Corps of Signals,  (e) Royal Armoured Corps,  (d) Household Cavalry and  (e) Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in each year between 1996 and 2001.

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the number of voluntary outflow exits for trained officers and soldiers for each financial year from 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2001.
	
		
			   Date of voluntary outflow 
			  Arm/Service  1996-97  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01 
			 Household Cavalry/Royal Armoured Corps 370 320 440 320 320 
			 Royal Regiment of Artillery 380 490 530 440 460 
			 Corps of Royal Engineers 690 710 620 610 560 
			 Royal Corps of Signals 680 800 730 610 720 
			 The Infantry 1,820 1,620 1,800 1,650 1,530 
			 Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers 430 510 500 470 480 
			  Notes: 1. The term premature voluntary release has been changed to voluntary outflow (VO), although the methodology remains the same. 2. VO is defined as all applications and exits from trained personnel which are generated by the individual before their time expiry. 3. The figures are based on all voluntary outflow from the trained strength of the UK regular army. 4. Figures exclude officers in the general staff (i.e. those with a rank of Colonel and above). 5. All data have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. Numbers ending in '5' have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

President of the Regimental Institute

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many President of the Regimental Institute shops operate at military bases in the UK; and how many are run by commercial businesses.
	(2)  what guidance his Department issues to commanding officers on  (a) the appointment of external commercial businesses to run President of the Regimental Institute shops,  (b) permissible profit margins of such shops,  (c) the overhead costs which such businesses should pay and  (d) the proportion of the profits of such businesses which should be paid to regimental or other funds for the welfare of service men and women.

Derek Twigg: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

QinetiQ

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether QinetiQ is obliged to seek Government approval  (a) for financial investments and  (b) before bidding for a contract.

Adam Ingram: No. There is no requirement for QinetiQ to seek the Government's approval for financial investments and before bidding for a contract.

Radio Equipment

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had on providing  (a) individual radios and  (b) radio frequencies for military parachutists.

Derek Twigg: It has not been possible to respond to my hon. Friend in the time available before Prorogation.

Radio Equipment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what documents containing radio frequency identification chips are  (a) currently in use and  (b) planned to be introduced within (i) his Department and (ii) the armed forces; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether a document containing an RFID chip will continue to be circulated if the chip stops working.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not use radio frequency identification technology for document management, and there are no plans to introduce it for this purpose.

RAF Kinloss

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod line personnel at RAF Kinloss  (a) requested premature voluntary redundancy (PVR) and  (b) took redundancy during (i) 2002, (ii) 2003, (iii) 2004 and (iv) 2005; and how many have (A) requested PVR and (B) taken redundancy in 2006.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 30 October 2006
	The RAF does not retain information on those applicants who requested redundancy but were unsuccessful, and so it is not possible to provide the number of Nimrod line personnel at RAF Kinloss that requested redundancy.
	In the years 2002 to 2004 there were no redundancies from Nimrod line personnel at RAF Kinloss and in each of years 2005 and 2006 (to date) fewer than five personnel have left on redundancy.

Redress Procedures

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in  (a) the Army,  (b) the Royal Navy and  (c) the Royal Air Force have initiated redress procedures since 2003; and in how many cases in (i) the Army, (ii) the Royal Navy and (iii) the Royal Air Force the complaint was upheld.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 31 October 2006
	While the Army maintains a central record of all redress cases, including those dealt with at the first (commanding officer) level of the process, the Navy and Air Force record only those cases which are submitted to the second (2 Star) and third (Service Board) levels. On this basis, our current records show that the numbers of personnel who have submitted a redress in each of the Services since 2003 are:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Army 702 
			 Royal Navy (1)480 
			 Royal Air Force (1)343 
			 (1) Records are not kept centrally of complaints under consideration at the first level and numbers could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 
		
	
	It is not possible to identify the numbers of successful complaints since only a complainant can judge whether their redress is deemed to have had a successful outcome.

Reservists

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether  (a) Territorial Army soldiers and  (b) other members of the volunteer reserve are legally defined as (i) volunteers and (ii) part-time employees.

Derek Twigg: Under Section 2(3) of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 the Territorial Army is part of the volunteer reserve forces. Members of those forces are not defined as being either volunteers or part-time employees. Legally they are part of the armed forces of the Crown; they are not employees as defined in the Employment Rights Act 1996, The Reserve Forces Act provides a number of different forms of service which members of the reserve forces may undertake including: training and other duties under sections 22 and 27; Additional Duties Commitments; Full-Time Reserve Service; Non Regular Permanent Staff service; permanent (mobilised) service. Service under sections 22 and 27 is excluded from the provisions of the Part-Time Workers (prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000.

Road Accident (Canada)

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors prevent him from naming the soldier killed in a road accident in Bassano, Canada on 15 September; what regiment was involved in the crash; how many soldiers were injured in the crash; what arrangements were made for the body of the deceased to be returned to the UK; what authorities were involved in investigating the accident; what reports have been completed to date; and when and where he expects an inquest to be held.

Derek Twigg: The soldier who died in the road traffic accident in Canada on 15 September was Craftsman Murray of 6 Battalion the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The MOD does not routinely name soldiers killed in non-operational incidents unless asked to do so and with the consent of the family.
	The personnel involved in the accident were on adventurous training and came from a number of units and regiments. Sixteen personnel received minor injuries as a result of the accident.
	The army arranged for repatriation. Cfn Murray's body was flown from Calgary, Canada on Wednesday 20 September and arrived at London Heathrow on 21 September. His body was then transported to Sherbourne, Dorset.
	It is the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to investigate the accident and their enquiries are ongoing. The Royal Military Police Special Investigation Branch provided assistance and have also issued a report to Her Majesty's Coroner. The British Army Training Unit Suffield have undertaken a learning account, this reports within 48 hours to make recommendations to prevent an immediate recurrence of the incident and a Land Accident Investigation Team has also completed a report into the accident.
	The inquest is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Coroner for West Dorset and a date cannot be set until the outcome of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation is known.

Royal Irish Regiment

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost was of the Royal Irish Regiment Home Service Battalions in each of the last 10 years.

Adam Ingram: Information on the total cost of the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment (R IRISH) from the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland's Top Level Budget is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, I can confirm that the cost of military pay, ERNIC and superannuation for the three Home Service Battalions of the R IRISH over the last five financial years (the only years for which records are available) are as follows.
	
		
			  £ 
			 2002-03 65,772,000 
			 2003-04 65,294,000 
			 2004-05 66,472,000 
			 2005-06 64,972,000 
			 2006-07 (year to date) 40,133,000

Royal Navy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Navy vessels are available for deployment as part of a potential sanctions regime against North Korea authorised by the United Nations.

Des Browne: holding answer 1 November 2006
	The potential sanctions regime authorised by the United Nations would be global in scope. Royal Naval vessels would be ready to respond to a requirement to enforce sanctions as appropriate and consistent with other operational requirements.

Royal Navy

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had on whether further  (a) Type 45 destroyers and  (b) Astute class submarines are required over and above those already agreed upon.

Adam Ingram: Six Type 45 Destroyers and three Astute class submarines are currently on order; further orders will depend on the affordability of industry's proposals, value for money, and the wider implementation of the maritime industrial strategy by industry at the MOD.

Royal Navy

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) Type 45 destroyers and  (b) Astute class submarines will be built; and what the anticipated in-service dates for each will be.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 1 November 2006
	In July 2004, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State announced plans for a class of eight Type 45 destroyers, of which six are now on contract. A decision has not yet been made on ordering the seventh and eighth ships but all factors will be taken into account, including the affordability of industry's proposals, value for money, and the wider implementation of the Maritime Industrial Strategy by industry and MOD.
	The planned In Service Date (ISD) for the First of Class, Daring, is 2009. The remaining five ships on contract are planned to enter service at intervals over a four-year period following the First of Class ISD.
	Three Astute class submarines are on order with BAE Systems, and further boat orders are currently being considered, subject to affordability. We are working with industry as part of the Defence Industrial Strategy to achieve an affordable and sustainable submarine programme.
	The planned In Service Date for the First of Class, Astute, is 2009. The second of class, Ambush, will follow in 2010, and the third of class, Artful, in 2012.

Royal Ordnance (Chorley)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons he refused contract support for Royal Ordnance Chorley when it was requested by BAE Systems.

Adam Ingram: Officials are unable to determine which contract my hon. Friend is referring to.

Scramjets

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has  (a) spent and  (b) allocated on identifying the merits of scramjet technologies for military use.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 October 2006
	The Ministry of Defence's main scramjet research programme was Hyshot III which received approximately £1.5 million. Two other programmes, each funded to the order of £100,000 have received MOD funding. The first was concerned with analysing scramjets from a systems perspective as part of the High-Speed Weapons programme and the second is a Joint Grants scheme funded research programme at Oxford university into scramjet intakes.
	Hyshot III was the culmination of the UK Scramjet experiment programme. There are no funds allocated for the further development of scramjet technologies. This was addressed in the Defence Technology Strategy (DTS) (Section B7.20), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
	The DTS also outlines (Section B7.21) a new collaborative programme in the field of hypersonics, the sustained hypersonics experiment (SHyFE). This involves research into novel aerosystem propulsion and has been allocated approximately £3 million worth of funds. The SHyFE concept incorporates a low risk ramjet design. However, it does not include any further scramjet research.

Service Accommodation

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of MODern Housing Solutions on maintenance of service families' accommodation.

Tom Watson: The Housing Prime Contract (HPC) was placed by Defence Estates with MODern Housing Solutions on 14 November 2005. The aim of the HPC was to improve the level of service delivered by the previous regime, which was delivered through 22 different contracts.
	The HPC covers the full property maintenance service for over 44,000 properties that comprise the service families accommodation across England and Wales.
	Following a mobilisation period of seven weeks, a phased transition of responsibility for service delivery to MODern Housing Solutions was completed to programme by 27 March 2006, the full in-Service date.
	During this transition period several issues emerged:
	Higher than anticipated backlog of maintenance issues
	Connectivity and efficiency of information management system
	Resultant job scheduling and appointment failures
	Helpdesk overloaded by subsequent high volume of enquiries
	We acknowledged the poor quality of the start of service delivery by MODern Housing Solutions and have agreed a recovery plan with them. Directors of Defence Estates are continuously monitoring the plan, to ensure that service delivery meets the standard we require. Although service performance has been poor, it is not universally so across England and Wales. All involved are working extremely hard to address these initial problems and indeed, improvements are already visible in emergency, urgent and routine responses, and the helpdesk has shown significant improvements in call handling capacity. I am confident that we will see real improvement very soon in the overall quality of service delivery as a result of the corrective action taken.

Service Personnel

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to provide free Christmas mail for service personnel serving abroad; and if he will make a statement.

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make available free of charge Christmas parcel post for the families of all Army, Royal Naval and Royal Air Force personnel serving in British Forces Post Office address areas representing active service overseas in war and adjacent zones.

Adam Ingram: It was agreed last year that an enduring arrangement should be introduced to provide free postal packets in the month before Christmas. This was to be linked to the Operational Welfare Package to ensure the need was targeted to those personnel serving on operations overseas.
	The service provides free parcels up to 2kg to be sent from the UK and British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses overseas by relatives and friends to named Service personnel and entitled civil servants. This year, the service is available from 10 November until 8 December.
	Details as to how this service can be accessed have been communicated through Service channels to Service personnel, through BFPOs worldwide and to Royal Mail counter staff in UK.

Service Personnel

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the provision of free mail for service personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: The Department has considered extending the Christmas free packet scheme to become a permanent feature to all operational theatres where UK service personnel are deployed. It was calculated, however, that this would cost up to £9 million per annum, dependent on uptake, and that in order to fund it, savings would have to be made in more essential elements of the operational welfare package—such as free phone calls and internet access.
	The option of a free mail service was again considered during the review of the operational welfare package that took place in October. However, the view of personnel in theatre was that priority should be afforded to an enhancement to the welfare telephone allowance and increased internet connectivity. The Secretary of State subsequently announced enhancements to these services on 10 October. The telephone allowance was increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes per week on 23 October and work to improve internet connectivity is ongoing. Nonetheless, the package remains under continuous review.

Service Personnel

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial recognition military service personnel serving in Iraq receive.

Adam Ingram: Service personnel receive basic pay in accordance with their rank, length of service and, in the case of other ranks, trade, irrespective of where they are serving. Basic pay includes an additional element, the "X Factor", to reflect the difference between conditions of service experienced by members of the UK Armed Forces over a full career and conditions in UK civilian life. This includes the need to serve on occasions in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
	Basic pay is part of a wider remuneration package payable to Service personnel which includes specialist pay e.g. flying pay or parachute pay, to recruit and retain personnel in specific branches or arms within the Services. Various allowances are also payable, such as a separation allowance, to compensate personnel for time away from their permanent base and separation from their families.
	Following the announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence, on 10 October 2006, Service personnel in specified operational locations, of which Iraq is one, will receive a tax free bonus, to be called "operational allowance", of around £2,240 for a six month tour. The allowance will be paid on a proportional basis for periods of duty which are shorter or longer than six months. Furthermore, as an adjustment to pay arrangements in the current financial year, the allowance is payable to all personnel who have served in Iraq since 1 April 2006.

Service Personnel

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British service personnel are  (a) deployed and  (b) stationed in (i) Germany, (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) Bosnia-Herzegovina, (iv) Croatia, (v) Kosovo, (vi) Albania, (vii) the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, (viii) Sierra Leone, (ix) the Gulf Region, (x) Turkey, (xi) Gibraltar, (xii) Belize, (xiii) Kenya, (xiv) Canada, (xv) the Falkland Islands, (xvi) Cyprus, (xvii) Brunei and (xviii) Afghanistan.

Adam Ingram: Data collected from manual records(1) show that on 3 October 2006 there were the following numbers of service personnel deployed on operations abroad in the named countries:
	(1) Data are based on personnel reports manually collated from operational deployments, and may not include all current operations. Figures include UK Regular Forces and Reserve Forces.
	
		
			  Country  Service personnel 
			 Germany — 
			 Northern Ireland(1) 7,040 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina 630 
			 Croatia — 
			 Kosovo 170 
			 Albania — 
			 FYR Macedonia — 
			 Sierra-Leone — 
			 Gulf Region(2) 8,610 
			 Turkey — 
			 Gibraltar 550 
			 Belize — 
			 Kenya — 
			 Canada — 
			 Falkland Islands(3) 1,280 
			 Cyprus 2,900 
			 Brunei — 
			 Afghanistan 7,000 
			 (1) This figure has been provided by HQ Northern Ireland and is at 30 September 2006. (2) Includes personnel deployed in Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar and Oman, and personnel deployed on ships in the Gulf Region. (3) Includes personnel deployed on Ascension Island.  Notes: 1.When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias. 2. Denotes zero or rounded to zero  Source: PJHQ 
		
	
	The following numbers of service personnel were permanently posted overseas in the named countries at 1 April 2006:
	
		
			  Country  Service personnel 
			 Germany 22,170 
			 Northern Ireland 6,800 
			 Bosnia-Herzegovina — 
			 Croatia — 
			 Kosovo — 
			 Albania — 
			 FYR Macedonia — 
			 Sierra-Leone 100 
			 Gulf Region(1) 380 
			 Turkey 30 
			 Gibraltar 360 
			 Belize 70 
			 Kenya 30 
			 Canada 290 
			 Falkland Islands 340 
			 Cyprus 3,170 
			 Brunei 160 
			 Afghanistan — 
			 (1) Includes Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman. 
		
	
	The numbers of personnel posted to each location abroad are shown in Quarterly Tri-Service Publication 6, Global Location of UK Regular Forces (TSP 6).
	Copies of TSP 6 are held in the House of Commons Library and are also available at www.dasa.mod.uk.

Social Research Sections

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the case for establishing a Government Social Research Section in his Department.

Derek Twigg: No such assessment has been made. The Department makes extensive use of research evidence and analysis from economists, statisticians, operational researchers and others.

Staff Secondments

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what departmental procedures are in place to encourage staff to apply for secondments to the  (a) United Nations and  (b) World Bank; and how many (i) applicants and (ii) successful applicants have been women in the last three years.

Derek Twigg: Secondments and loans are actively promoted by the MOD which can be looked by a range of organisation.
	This information on the number of female applicants and successful female candidates is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Suicides

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many suicides have taken place among deployed UK military personnel in  (a) Iraq,  (b) Afghanistan and  (c) elsewhere in each of the last three years.

Des Browne: The Ministry of Defence has centrally compiled and verified records of coroner-confirmed suicides or open verdict deaths among UK Service personnel up to 31 December 2005. Between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005, there were three coroner-confirmed suicides or open verdict deaths among regular Service personnel while deployed in Iraq. There were no coroner-confirmed suicides or open verdicts among Service personnel in Afghanistan. During the same period there were 50 other coroner-confirmed suicide and open verdicts among regular Service personnel, who were not deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan(1). Details are provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Iraq  Afghanistan  Elsewhere 
			 All 3 0 50 
			 2003 (1)2 0 20 
			 2004 0 0 16 
			 2005 1 0 14 
			 (1) Includes a soldier who was aeromeded back to the UK as a result of an incident in Iraq and subsequently died in a UK hospital. 
		
	
	In addition there was one suicide in 2005 involving a reservist soldier serving in Iraq.
	The figures provided do not include any violent or unnatural deaths that have not yet been fully investigated by the coroner.
	Overall, the suicide rate(2) of the United Kingdom armed forces is approximately half that of the rate for the United Kingdom population as a whole.
	(1) These include personnel deployed overseas, on overseas postings or based in the United Kingdom.
	(2) Adjusted for age and gender.

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) established and  (b) actual strength is of (i) the regular Army and (ii) the Territorial Army, broken down by (A) recruits, (B) trained soldiers and other ranks, (C) senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers, (D) junior officers Second Lieutenant to Captain and (E) senior officers of Major and above.

Derek Twigg: Table 1 provides a breakdown, by rank, of the regular army strength against liability as at 1 August 2006. Table 2 provides a breakdown of the Territorial Army, by rank, against the overall liability. A detailed breakdown of the Territorial Army liability by rank will not be available until TA re-balancing has been completed which is expected in mid 2007.
	
		
			  Table 1: Strength of regular army as at 1 August 2006, shown against liability 
			   Strength( 1)  Liability( 2) 
			 Total 106,930 n/a 
			 Officers 14,900 n/a 
			 Trained officers 13,980 13,250 
			 Senior officers (Majors and above) 7,670 6,670 
			 Junior officers (ranks up to Captain) 6,310 6,580 
			 Untrained officers 930 na 
			 Soldiers 92,030 na 
			 Trained soldiers 82,480 85,460 
			 Senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers (warrant officer and sergeants) 22,690 21,720 
			 Other ranks (ranks up to Corporal) 59,780 63,740 
			 Untrained soldiers 9,550 na 
			 (1) Figures include trained officers and soldiers; full time reserve service (full, limited and home commitment) but exclude home service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, mobilised reserves, Territorial Army and other reserves. (2) Liability is based on the regular army liability 2006(.)  Notes: 1. All data have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. Numbers ending in '5' have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. 2. n/a = 'not applicable' as there is no liability for untrained officers and soldiers. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Strength of Territorial Army as at 1 August 2006, shown against liability 
			   Strength( 1)  Liability 
			 Total 36,260 42,000 
			 Officers 5,350 __ 
			 Senior officers (Majors and above) 2,070 __ 
			 Junior officers (ranks up to Captain) 3,280 __ 
			 Soldier 30,910 __ 
			 Senior non-commissioned officers and warrant officers (warrant officer and sergeants) 4,960 __ 
			 Other ranks (ranks up to Corporal) 25,950 __ 
			 (1) TA Personnel include Group A & B, Mobilised TA and Officer Training Corps (OTC), and exclude non regular permanent staff and full time reserve service.  Notes: All data have been rounded to the nearest 10. Due to the rounding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. Numbers ending in '5' have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Trident

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what dates he will  (a) publish the proposed White Paper and  (b) hold the proposed parliamentary debate and vote on the replacement of Trident by a new generation of the nuclear deterrent.

Des Browne: holding answer 1 November 2006
	It remains our intention that decisions on the future of the UK's nuclear deterrent will be taken later this year, following which we will publish a White Paper. There will then be a parliamentary debate and a vote. It is too early to set out a more specific timetable.

Veterans Badges

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Veterans' Badges have been awarded to personnel who served in each of the armed forces.

Derek Twigg: Prior to August 2006 the information is not held in the format requested. However, from 18 April 2005 to 17 August 2006 a total of 212,000 badges have been issued by the Veterans Agency.
	From 18 August 2006 the Veterans Agency has introduced a new database which enables limited analysis of the applications. The following table sets out how many Veterans' Badges have been awarded to personnel between 18 August and 3 November 2006 who served in each of the armed forces.
	
		
			   Number 
			 Army 19,391 
			 Navy 3,491 
			 RAF 8,360

Weaponry

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what weaponry is available to the  (a) infantry,  (b) Royal Marines and  (c) Parachute Regiment to engage active targets at a range of 1,000 yards.

Adam Ingram: The long-range weaponry listed in the table below is all currently available to the Infantry, the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment (although in some cases certain weapons are only available for specific operations).
	 Weaponry
	Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). Calibre 12.7mm (0.5in)
	General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG). Calibre 7.62mm
	81mm Medium Mortar
	Javelin Anti Tank Guided Weapon
	30mm Rarden Cannon. (Fitted to WARRIOR and Scimitar armoured fighting vehicles).
	Chain Gun. Calibre 7.62mm. (Fitted to WARRIOR armoured fighting vehicle).
	Long Range Rifle. Calibre 8.6mm
	Infantry units and the Royal Marines would also have access to other weapons systems such as those provided by close air support and artillery, should they be required.

Wounded Soldiers

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security arrangements are in place to protect soldiers wounded in combat who are being treated in hospitals in the UK.

Derek Twigg: The security of our personnel admitted as in-patients is of the highest priority and remains under constant review. For example, at Selly Oak hospital, where the majority of our combat casualties will be received, a strong liaison is maintained between West Midlands police, the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust (UHBFT) and its Security Management Team and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) Command Team to ensure that appropriate levels of security are provided. UHBFT Security Officers provide an immediate response to any security incidents within the hospital boundaries. 'Swipe card' doors have been installed on the wards where military personnel are most likely to be treated. Other security measures including CCTV will be adopted as necessary.
	The MOD, in conjunction with the relevant NHS hospital authorities, ensures that Heads of Department make all staff aware of unit routine orders on maintaining security awareness and the need to remain vigilant at all times.